MADISON, Wis. (WRN – NWN) — Candidates for Wisconsin governor are not too far apart on the issue of AI data centers.
Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany says they don’t belong on farmland. Like Tiffany, Democratic Milwaukee County Exec David Crowey, a former supporter of the developments, is talking about protecting taxpayers and utility customers, and the need for local input.
“So we’re seeing the battle lines on data centers drawn along those issues rather than anyone calling for a moratorium,” said UW La Crosse political scientist Anthony Chergosky.
Chergosky notes the race is happening amid strong public opposition to data centers reflected in polling.
“I think we’re going to see a lot more talk about data centers in the race for governor and certainly in the campaign for a state legislature. This has been astonishing to see the public turn against data centers,” he said.
Neither candidate supports a statewide 12-month moratorium on new data center projects, even as many local units of government are enacting those on their own.
The Barron County Board of Supervisors is meeting today at 1 p.m. to consider a temporary moratorium on AI data center projects, in order to allow time for the county to develop a zoning ordinance specifically for data centers.