Lawmakers introduce first bill to hold data centers accountable in Wisconsin

MADISON – Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin and Rep. Angela Stroud today introduced legislation that would hold data centers accountable for their energy and water use, worker protections, and environmental impact.

The proposed legislation, the Data Center Accountability Bill (LRB 5432), would be the first law of its kind in the state to ensure that the growing data center industry pays its fair share for the energy and infrastructure it consumes, rather than shifting those costs onto Wisconsin ratepayers.

Under the bill, data centers would be required to:

• Contribute to the Focus on Energy Fund, which supports energy efficiency, renewable energy, and low-income energy assistance programs. Half of those contributions would go toward the Green Innovation Fund to support next-generation clean energy projects.
• Source at least 70 percent of their electricity from renewable energy to qualify for state tax exemptions.
• Provide transparency about water and energy use.
• Protect workers by paying at least the prevailing wage or, if covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the higher of the two.

“Wisconsin taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing massive tech companies that use enormous amounts of energy and water,” said Government Affairs Director Jennifer Giegerich. “This bill ensures that data centers contribute to Wisconsin’s clean energy future, protect workers, and don’t leave local communities to foot the bill, both financially and environmentally.”

With data centers expanding rapidly across Wisconsin and existing law offering only tax breaks without safeguards. The Data Center Accountability Bill (LRB 5432) is essential to protect ratepayers, promote renewable energy, and ensure transparency.

“This is a commonsense step toward fairness and sustainability,” Giegerich said. “If data centers want to call Wisconsin home, they need to play by rules that protect Wisconsin families, our environment, and our already established clean energy goals.”

Wisconsin Conservation Voters strongly supports the Data Center Accountability Bill (LRB 5432) and has launched a statewide campaign to ensure lawmakers put Wisconsin communities ahead of corporate greed. The campaign will mobilize voters across the state to contact their legislators and demand accountability, transparency, and environmental responsibility from the data center industry.

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.