The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Writing a weekly column is always a snapshot in time. Things can and do happen to advance the story. Here are a few examples tied to my recent “Inside Wisconsin” columns:
Data center legislation: Several recent columns have focused on how data centers, at the core of what powers artificial intelligence, will help many Wisconsin businesses adapt to a highly competitive world. The problem is that some people don’t like them located over the next hill or valley, which makes finding suitable sites harder.
The latest example is the Dane County village of DeForest, where a citizen campaign helped to sideline a QTS Data Centers project. Village government staffers have recommended pulling the plug on the project, which was proposed for a large tract of farmland.
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A larger ball is now in the Wisconsin Legislature’s court. Lawmakers are scheduled to be in session in the State Capitol just two or three days between now and early March … and the clock is ticking. Republicans support a bill to set certain reporting, water recycling and utility rate requirements for data centers. It would require data center owners, not consumers, to pay for related improvements to the state power grid.
Most Democrats think it doesn’t go far enough. The coming struggle will test whether Democrats come across as latter-day Luddites, opposed to an inevitable technology, and whether Republicans will be painted into a corner for dictating too much state control over local governments.
Nuclear power: Next-generation nuclear power has yet to make much progress in the United States, in part because so much time – and money – is tied up in regulating such plants. Meanwhile, nations such as China, Japan and the United Kingdom are moving ahead with plant designs (many of which are American) to replace polluting energy sources with clean power.
All is not lost in Wisconsin. Utah-based EnergySolutions has submitted a notice of intent to the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, confirming it plans to apply for a new nuclear fission generation plant at the closed Kewaunee nuclear power plant. It had previously announced plans to partner with Milwaukee-based WEC Energy Group.
The full plan is at least two years away from being unveiled. If it’s on a scale with Wisconsin’s twin operating plants at Point Beach, it could produce double-digit amounts of the state’s electricity.
This is not to suggest nuclear power will displace solar, wind, hydro and other renewable sources, but the steady demise of coal-burning plants must be replaced with a balanced mix of generation sources.
The Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers seem to be on the same page with that approach. Also on the State Capitol docket in coming weeks is legislation to create a “nuclear energy generation tax credit” to build on earlier efforts. This bill could also provide breathing room for Wisconsin’s nuclear fusion companies, which hope to gain a foothold in an emerging industry.
Tax credits for startups: On a strong track in the Legislature is a bill to modernize Wisconsin’s 20-year-old “Qualified New Business Venture” program, which many investors and young companies believe has helped the state’s entrepreneurs find traction over time.
The bill would raise the limit on how much a company could raise in angel and venture capital while still qualifying for 25% tax credits, which go to angel and venture capitalists who take the risk. The lifetime private investment limit would climb from $12 million to $20 million. The bill would also amend residency requirements for workers in start-ups while still requiring such companies to be based in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has active angel networks as well as strong venture capital firms who can help to bring startups to the next level through what is termed “Series A” financing. Two nearby states – Michigan and Ohio – have not been shy about investing in much larger matching funds to attract Series B and C investors. Other than a welcome $25 million investment in the Badger Fund of Funds 12 years ago, state government in Wisconsin has yet to step up to the big-league plate.
Few big issues just go away. They evolve.Still is the past president of the Wisconsin Technology Council and an advisor to Competitve Wisconsin Inc. a non-profit group. tstill@insidewisconsin.net.
