More than a thousand people sign petition to pause AI data center approvals in Wisconsin

Clean Wisconsin has launched a petition calling on state and local leaders to pause AI data center approvals until the state develops a comprehensive plan to ensure our communities and resources are safeguarded. So far, more than 1,200 Wisconsinites have signed on. Clean Wisconsin is joined by Alliance for the Great Lakes, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Faith in Place, and Healthy Climate Wisconsin in its call for a pause in AI data center approvals.

“These enormous projects are using resources we all share. We must ensure that when an AI data center comes to Wisconsin, it will benefit—not harm—our communities. That means real transparency, it means allowing time for community members to be fully informed, and it means comprehensive planning at a statewide level,” says Clean Wisconsin President and CEO Mark Redsten.

A recent analysis from Clean Wisconsin reveals just two of the AI data center projects approved in our state will use far more energy than all the homes in Wisconsin combined. A separate analysis shows a single data center could also use more water than a major Wisconsin city when offsite water withdrawals are factored in.

“Wisconsin will soon experience an unprecedented surge in energy demand because of the AI data centers that have been approved in our state so far. And the harms are already happening,” says Redsten. “We’ve seen the approval of new gas-burning power plants, planned construction of a new liquified natural gas pipeline, and yet another delayed coal plant retirement—all to meet AI data center energy needs.”

Clean Wisconsin says without careful planning and full disclosures about energy use, water use, and on-site air pollution, the harm to Wisconsin communities and its environment could be irrevocable.

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.