EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Emily Berge, Democratic candidate for Congress in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, today called on Rebecca Cooke to join her in supporting a federal moratorium on new large-scale AI data centers until Congress establishes strong regulations for artificial intelligence and enforceable protections for the communities where those facilities are built.

Berge has spent the past year showing up, listening and paying attention as Wisconsin communities have grappled with proposed data-center projects. In recent months, she has publicly called for regulation of AI and data centers and a meaningful moratorium on new hyperscale facilities while Congress puts clear rules in place.

“What I hear from people on the ground is that they want transparency, accountability and protections,” Berge said. “They want to know what is in these contracts, who is making the decisions and who will be responsible if a project fails to deliver what was promised.”

Berge said communities also deserve enforceable plans for the full life cycle of every project, including what happens if a facility becomes obsolete or sits empty 20 years from now. Decommissioning and site-restoration requirements should ensure Wisconsin taxpayers are not left with an abandoned site or cleanup costs after an out-of-state corporation moves on.

“Wisconsin communities should not be taken advantage of by out-of-state billionaires seeking to profit from our land and water while leaving local people with the risk,” Berge said. “Our water, farmland and local decision-making belong to the people who live here. Before anything is approved, communities deserve full disclosure, meaningful public input and enforceable environmental protections.”

Berge emphasized that the issue extends beyond data-center construction. Congress must also regulate how artificial intelligence is developed and deployed, with transparency, accountability and protections for workers, consumers, privacy, civil rights and national security.

“I’m asking Rebecca Cooke to join me,” Berge said. “Support a federal moratorium until clear rules are in place, and stand with Wisconsin communities asking for transparency, accountability and protections. Innovation should serve people—not the other way around.”

Cooke has publicly embraced the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund’s endorsement, saying its “pragmatic leadership” is the kind she would bring to Congress. But the Coalition’s Innovation Agenda calls for federal incentives, accelerated permitting and tax incentives to speed the buildout of data-center infrastructure. Berge called on Cooke to disavow those provisions and join the federal moratorium until enforceable safeguards are in place.

“This is about who gets to decide what happens in our communities and who bears the consequences,” Berge said. “Wisconsin families should not be left with the risks while out-of-state billionaires take the rewards.”

About Emily Berge

Emily Berge is a licensed counselor, small business owner, former Eau Claire City Council President and Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Berge is running to bring people-first leadership to Congress and ensure Western and Central Wisconsin have a representative who is rooted in the district, accountable to local voters and committed to building an economy and democracy that work for everyone.