Statement on Big Tech’s Push to Weaken Data Center Protections Would Mean Bigger Bills for Wisconsinites
MILWAUKEE – Power Wisconsin Forward released the following statement criticizing a move by WEC Energy Group, Vantage Data Centers and Cloverleaf Infrastructure on behalf of Oracle to transfer financial risks around data center development back to Wisconsin families and small businesses:
This week, We Energies, Cloverleaf Infrastructure and data center developer Vantage, on behalf of Oracle, proposed significant modifications to consumer protections recently implemented by the Public Service Commission (PSC) through its recent Very Large Customer (VLC) rate structure decision (Docket 6630-TE-113). These modifications to much-needed consumer protections mean working families and small businesses would likely shoulder the financial risks of AI data centers in Wisconsin.
Big tech and billionaires do not need discounts to build data centers in Wisconsin. These financial security requirements exist for a reason: to make sure the companies that benefit from data center development cover their own costs, not Wisconsin families and small businesses. This is especially important as these data centers have generated significant demand for new dirty fossil fuel generation, which raises costs for consumers, creates new environmental and health risks, and threatens the state’s ability to meet its clean energy goals.
Rather than comply, these companies are asking for an exemption that would let them off the hook for financial commitments customers, advocates and intervenors asked for, and the Commission determined necessary to protect Wisconsin customers.
As Commissioner Nieto underscored when the Commission approved this rate structure: “Wisconsin customers should not pay a single cent to subsidize the service of data centers or very large customers, not now and not decades from now. Those [VLC] customers must bear the full cost of the infrastructure required to serve them, and those costs must be fully and transparently assigned.”
The Commission was right to put strong consumer protections in place. We urge the PSC to stand by its original decision and continue protecting Wisconsin customers.
For more information from Power Wisconsin Forward partners, please contact powerwisconsinforward@muellercommunications.com.
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 Power Wisconsin Forward
Milwaukee Community Groups Announce “People’s Audit” of We Energies
Nov 4th, 2025 by Power Wisconsin ForwardClean energy advocates look to hold We Energies accountable for rising utility costs
