Madison, WI -Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) today announced his coauthorship of legislation implementing strong protections for ratepayers and natural resources associated with data centers.
The legislation, being circulated by Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) and Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood), ensures that data center development does not come at the expense of Wisconsin families. Wisconsin is considered an attractive state for data center location because its cooler climate reduces the energy required for server cooling, a major operational cost.
“Wisconsin has a long history of innovation and economic strength, and we’ve also just solved one of data centers’ biggest challenges with a sustainable water supply,” said Rep. Allen. “Families in Waukesha should focus on thriving in our community, not worrying about how industrial growth might impact their utility bills.”
Under the bill, the Public Service Commission must ensure that costs for electric infrastructure serving data centers are not passed on to other customers. Data centers must use closed-loop cooling systems that recycle water and report annual water usage to the Department of Natural Resources. All renewable energy facilities serving data centers must be on-site to prevent sprawl and promote efficient energy use. Additionally, data center operators must post bonds to cover reclamation costs if projects are abandoned, ensuring sites are restored without incurring taxpayer costs.
“Data centers will be a part of the future of our economy, but growth must be responsible,” said Rep. Allen. “As demand for these facilities surges, this bill positions our state as a competitive leader in the digital sector without burdening residents.”
