MADISON – The Wisconsin Assembly convened today to consider a variety of bills, including one that would substantially change how data centers are regulated and built in Wisconsin. Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) joined her Assembly colleagues in supporting the proposal.
2025 Assembly Bill 840 (AB840) – authored by Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) and Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) – establishes new requirements for the construction and regulation of data centers.
“With the recent influx of new and planned data centers, it is vital we ensure ratepayers in Wisconsin are protected from the cost to build and run these centers. Data centers require large amounts of electricity and water usage. Ratepayers should not be responsible for the power generation these facilities require nor should they need to worry about the potential negative environmental impacts in their community,” explained Rep. Rodriguez.
Under the bill, no costs associated with the construction or extension of electric infrastructure that primarily serves a data center are allowed to be allocated to ratepayers. Additionally, water used by data centers for cooling purposes must be in a closed-loop system, and this usage must be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. If construction is not completed then the owner must restore the parcel to the condition it had existed prior to construction.
“The bill encourages sustainable water usage by requiring that data centers use closed-loop cooling systems minimizing freshwater consumption protecting our resources and making sure they are used responsibly,” continued Rodriguez “Requiring data centers pay their own way and generate power locally ensures ratepayers are not paying for the upkeep and costs to keep these facilities running.”
AB 840 passed on a bi-partisan vote in the Assembly. This bill will now go to the State Senate for consideration.
