Resources
Key Points
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A new bill in Wisconsin aims to create stronger transparency rules for large data center projects.
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The legislation would require public reporting on water and energy use and mandate more renewable energy sources.
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It also seeks to protect residential ratepayers from increased costs and ensure construction jobs pay a prevailing wage.
Key Points
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Data center operator QTS is proposing a multi-billion dollar development in Dane County.
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The company plans to create a $50 million fund to support local institutions such as Madison Area Technical College.
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QTS says the project will create hundreds of jobs and use a water-conserving cooling system.
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Alliant Energy supports the proposal and will provide renewable energy to help power the data center campus.
Data centers have drawn criticism from some community members over environmental concerns about sustainability because the facilities require an enormous amount of water to operate. Fewer than one-third track water usage, and, often, data centers sign nondisclosure agreements with local governments on water use.
AI data centers continue plans to expand in Wisconsin, lawmakers hold hearing - Nov 5, 2025
MADISON, Wis. (Gray) - With the rise of artificial intelligence, the country is looking to Wisconsin as a home for new data centers to fuel the demand.
More than a dozen experts and industry leaders in AI and data centers testified Wednesday at the Wisconsin State Capitol about these facilities.
UC Riverside and Caltech study reveals AI’s toxic air pollution footprint and toll on people’s health
