Madison, Wis.— A legal settlement secured by Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) on behalf of Sierra Club requires the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct a comprehensive statewide review of the environmental impacts of data center development.
The settlement resolves MEA and Sierra Club’s lawsuit challenging the DNR’s decision to issue permits for the Vantage data center campus in Port Washington without preparing a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
DNR will now prepare a statewide, comprehensive environmental review. In addition, DNR will have to comply with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act on a project-by-project basis going forward. The statewide review makes Wisconsin one of the few states taking a comprehensive look at the environmental impacts of data center development.
“What started as a lawsuit over the environmental review of one data center has become an opportunity to address the data center issue on a much bigger scale,” said MEA attorney Michael Greif. “Looking at these impacts holistically is important because the impacts of data centers are statewide. State regulators will now have to examine the cumulative impacts of data center development across Wisconsin.”
The DNR has until January 2028 to complete a statewide strategic analysis–a process that will examine the broader environmental consequences of data center development, including demands on water and energy resources, impacts on air quality and climate, and the effects of related infrastructure such as power plants and transmission lines. According to the terms of the settlement, Vantage Data Centers must pay all costs related to the strategic analysis.
The settlement also requires that the DNR provide opportunities for public engagement and input as part of the strategic analysis process.
“Public input is essential to making informed decisions about how, where and under what conditions data centers should be developed in Wisconsin,” said Greif. “It’s time for the state to step back, listen to the concerns of Wisconsinites and make decisions based on the consequences for Wisconsin as a whole.”
“AI data centers are massive, thirsty, energy hogs and have popped up all over Wisconsin. They could completely change our landscape and use unprecedented amounts of water and energy. Wisconsinites and our regulators need to understand the impacts and opportunities to reduce harm before allowing data centers to move forward. Wisconsinites deserve an informed, transparent process for decisions that could shape their communities and environment for decades,” said Elizabeth Ward, Director of the Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter.
According to a report by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the Port Washington data center is one of three data center projects responsible for a projected 40-percent increase in statewide energy demand over the next six years. This energy demand is driving the need for large amounts of new energy generation and transmission lines across the state. According to the PSC, the majority of that demand will be served by new natural gas plants or upgrades to existing gas plants.
“Port Washington residents deserved a full understanding of the Vantage data center’s potential impacts before permits were issued,” said Ward. “A statewide analysis will help build a clearer picture of the environmental costs of data center development across Wisconsin. That broader understanding is critical, but it does not replace thorough environmental review of individual projects. We expect the DNR to conduct full Environmental Impact Statements for specific proposals when warranted, so communities have the information they need before decisions are made.”
