Republicans Key to Wisconsin Data Center Problems
Republicans are great at pretending they care about the environment. Milwaukee Riverkeeper had an excellent piece in its most recent newsletter regarding a Republican-written bill on data centers. For all of our friends out there fighting these giant intrusions on our water and energy supplies, take a moment to read this.
Republican Legislation Complicates Wisconsin Data Center Problems
“Protect Wisconsin from higher energy rates and pollution from data centers: Oppose AB840.
“Wisconsin is a popular target for data center developers, and roughly 50 data centers have already been proposed in the state. Data centers require enormous energy and water resources to operate.
“In response to the rapid development, the Wisconsin Legislature introduced proposed bills to regulate data centers. One of those bills, AB840, is quickly moving through the legislative process. It does NOT require data centers to pay for the full cost of their energy use through the lifetime of the project. Costs including connection to the electric grid system via transmission lines and other upgrades are omitted. For example, the proposed ATC transmission lines in Ozaukee and Sheboygan County to serve the Port Washington data center would not be addressed by this legislation. These costs should not be shifted onto families and businesses. There should also be stronger protections to ensure that taxpayers are protected from longer term costs if the company stops construction, sells the site, or fails to live up to its commitments to the state.
“AB840 also states that data centers can only use renewable energy if those resources are located on the site. This would limit the data centers’ ability to access affordable renewable energy and could force the continued operation of expensive coal plants (as is the case with the Microsoft facility in Pleasant Prairie) or development of additional fossil fuel plants. The limitations on renewable energy could actually cause an increase in overall energy costs.
“While the bill does feature some positive provisions related to transparency and reporting of water use, it does not include any permitting or other review by the DNR to ensure local water supplies and waterways are protected. The bill also lacks any efficiency standards for water use or requirements for wastewater discharge to waterways or sewerage treatment systems, leaving residents exposed to potential pollution issues.”
Our local Assembly Representatives voted as follows: Democrat Deb Andraca (AD-23) voted No. Thank you, Rep. Andraca. Surprise, surprise, Republicans Paul Melotik (AD-22) and Rob Brooks (AD-59) both voted Yes. The bill passed 53-44, with all Democrats voting no, along with one Republican. This is yet another reason why we need Dana Glasstein, the candidate running against Melotik, and Jack Holzman, running against Rob Brooks, to win in the fall.
The Bill will move on to the State Senate, where our esteemed State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin has put forward a much better regulatory bill, but as we know it will never see the light of day, because the Republicans have the majority there as well.
By now you have heard from President Trump that America needs to move on from the Epstein files. What a disgusting horrible man protecting his vile comrades. That is why we continue to protest, and why we will win the midterms on Nov. 3.
I have another ask. Please join your 6th Congressional friends and attend the RBG/JFK dinner in Oshkosh on Feb. 21. There will be a panel of all the candidates running against Glenn Grothman answering our questions. We have not had a Democrat in our congressional district since 1964. According to the Cook Political Report, Glenn's popularity has dropped by 18 points. He still has a plus 8 point favorability, but hey, that’s doable. Grothman always has at least a million in his campaign coffers. So we need to raise $$$ at the congressional level. We can carpool to Oshkosh. Please see the banner in this newsletter and sign up.
It is obvious that key Republican support is creating and expanding Wisconsin’s data center problems. It is not too late. Electing key Democrats in this election cycle can put guardrails in place that protect our air, water, and electricity costs.
Thanks, and see you at our monthly meeting on Feb. 18.