‘Poison Pill Data Center Bill’ Could Increase Energy Bills
MADISON, Wis. – AB 840, the Poison Pill Data Center Bill, passed the Wisconsin State Assembly last week. The bill purports to protect Wisconsinites from high energy bills due to data centers. However, it actually lets Big Tech off the hook and doesn’t require Big Tech to pay its fair share.
AB840 requires that any renewable energy used to power data centers must be located on the data center’s property. Given the enormous amount of energy data centers consume, only a portion will come from clean energy.
If passed, the bill would force data centers to primarily rely on gas plants for power, and, based on a new report, all Wisconsin residents could see increased electricity bills. A new report filed in the new Public Service Commission proceeding that will create a special rate structure for large customers, like hyperscale data centers, in We Energies’ territory found:
- Serving large data center loads with gas exposes all Wisconsinites to volatile natural gas prices
- Adding more renewables and storage reduces exposure to fuel price risk for all customers
- The report concludes that large-load customers (e.g., data centers) can shift financial risk (especially for fuel cost) onto other customers, including households and small businesses.
Elizabeth Ward, Director of Sierra Club Wisconsin released the following statement:
“The report shows that passing AB840 would harm Wisconsinites. AB840 would raise electricity bills and let Big Tech off the hook for the true cost of its data centers and force Wisconsin residents to cover the difference.
In addition to elevated electricity bills, blocking renewable energy development will mean more fossil fuels, and the dirty air, water pollution, and health impacts that come with them. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, Wisconsin must accelerate renewable energy development—not restrict it. This bill moves us in the wrong direction and should be rejected.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Sierra Club
