MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — Republican state lawmakers propose new regulations on data centers in Wisconsin.
Residents in communities across the state are increasingly concerned as more AI data centers are proposed. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos spoke at a Milwaukee area press conference on Monday.
“This is a very reasonable regulatory environment, which, again protects ratepayers, protects landowners, protects property taxpayers and does it all in a way, by making sure that we guarantee that the communities have the biggest say,” Vos said.
Vos says a proposal from Democrats to halt data center projects is not realistic. Governor Tony Evers says environmental concerns must be balanced with economic necessity.
“I think if we keep open minds, we can keep the environmental peace in a good place. That’s really important for me. But equally important is the fact that we have to have jobs for the future,” Evers said.
Among other things, Republicans want to require that renewable energy to power data centers be generated on site, minimizing the need for new transmission infrastructure.