Data centers in Wisconsin

📜 State laws

Republican data center bill (AB 840) died in the Senate, March 2026 · March 23, 2026
AB 840 would have required that utility costs for large data centers not be passed to other customers, required closed-loop cooling and yearly water reports to the DNR, required a bond to pay for cleanup, and required that solar or wind farms built mainly for a data center sit on the data center's own site. The Assembly passed it 53-44 on January 20, 2026. A Senate committee recommended it 3-2 on March 13, 2026, but the full Senate never voted. It failed on March 23, 2026, when the session ended. Supporters said it protected customers; opponents (Democrats, environmental groups and some unions) said the on-site renewables rule would push data centers toward gas and that it lacked wage standards. Source

Ban on secret deals (NDAs) for data centers (AB 1036 / SB 969) died, March 2026 · March 23, 2026
This bill would have banned non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) meant to hide data center plans from the public, for both companies and local governments. A permit given to a data center whose developer signed a banned NDA would have been void. It kept protection for real trade secrets. A Senate committee advanced it 4-1, but neither house voted on it. Both versions failed on March 23, 2026. Source

Democratic data center bill (AB 722 / SB 729) died, March 2026 · March 23, 2026
This bill would have created a separate utility customer class for very large users, set water-use and building rules for data centers, required a set pay rate on large data center construction, and tied the tax break to labor standards and mostly renewable power. It never got a floor vote and failed on March 23, 2026. Source

Statewide data center pause (AB 1099) died, March 2026 · March 23, 2026
AB 1099, from Democratic lawmakers, would have put a statewide moratorium (pause) on data centers until the state passed a full set of rules. It failed on March 23, 2026 without a vote. Source

Bill to widen the data center tax break (AB 245) died, March 2026 · March 23, 2026
AB 245 would have widened the sales tax break for data centers, for example to cover more types of computers and shared (colocation) data centers. A committee recommended it with changes in November 2025, but it failed on March 23, 2026 when the session ended. Source

💡 Who pays for the power

We Energies data center rate (Very Large Customer tariff), approved with changes April 24, 2026 · April 24, 2026
The Public Service Commission (PSC) sets the rates of private utilities. In docket 6630-TE-113 it approved We Energies' 'Very Large Customer' (VLC) rate for data centers, with big changes: contracts must last at least 15 years; the rate covers any customer of 100 megawatts or more (We Energies had asked for 500); data centers must pay 100% of the cost of power plants built for them (a cheaper 75% option was removed); the utility must fix the risk that power line (transmission) costs shift to other customers; and new reports must show how the rate and the data center contracts work. The PSC said the written final order would follow. Source

Alliant contract for the Meta data center in Beaver Dam, approved with changes May 7, 2026 · May 7, 2026
Alliant Energy asked the PSC in April 2025 to approve a special power contract for a data center in Beaver Dam (Meta's project). In February 2026 a PSC judge made Alliant refile with fewer blacked-out parts, and the comment period was extended. On May 7, 2026 the PSC approved a changed contract: a bigger fee if the data center leaves early, more reporting, money safeguards, and a payment into the state energy-efficiency program. It also ordered Alliant to file one public rate that all future data centers must use. Source

We Energies and WPS want higher rates for 2027 and 2028 · April 2, 2026
In April 2026, We Energies asked the PSC for electric rate increases of 4.7% in 2027 and 4.5% in 2028 (about $13 more a month for a typical home in 2027 and $8-9 more in 2028). Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) asked for 6.3% and 3.5% (about $11 and $5 more a month). The utilities say data centers will pay billions toward new power plants and other costs; the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) says homes still face double-digit increases. A PSC decision is expected near the end of 2026. Source

Who pays for new power lines to data centers · Aug 3, 2026
American Transmission Co. (ATC) plans more than $2 billion of new power lines and substations for data centers. Regulators already approved about $625 million of lines for Microsoft in Mount Pleasant; a project of about $1.5 billion for the Port Washington data center is still pending (the PSC sent ATC back to redo it in August 2026, and ATC refiled). Power line costs are normally shared by all customers. In July 2026 ATC proposed that We Energies pay for the lines it requested up front and that Microsoft repay it in full; the PSC has not decided. We Energies has set aside about $620 million in 2027-2028 for data center transmission charges. Source

New gas power plants tied to data center growth · May 2025
In May 2025 the PSC approved We Energies' new gas power plants in Oak Creek (Milwaukee County) and the Town of Paris (Kenosha County), part of a plan of about $2 billion for more gas power. Planned data centers in Mount Pleasant and Port Washington are expected to raise electricity demand in We Energies' area by about 40% from 2026 to 2030. Source

💵 Tax breaks

Sales tax break for data centers (no end date) · 2023
Since 2023 (2023 Wisconsin Act 19), data centers certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) pay no state sales or use tax on equipment and building materials used only at the site, including servers, backup generators, cooling and water systems, and electricity. To qualify, the company must invest at least $150 million within 5 years in a county with over 100,000 people, $100 million in a county with 50,001-100,000 people, or $50 million in a smaller county. Only purchases after the certification date count. A September 2025 report said it had cost about $70 million in two years, more than first estimated, and WEDC says the break never expires. Wisconsin did not pause or end it in 2026. Source

🤐 Secret deals and public records

Public records: anyone can ask, no reason needed · Oct 7, 2026
Under Wisconsin's public records law, almost anyone can ask for records from a city, village, town, county, school district or state agency. You do not have to give your name or say why you want them, and you can ask by mail or email. The office must fill the request 'as soon as practicable and without delay'; the state Department of Justice says about 10 working days is reasonable for a simple request. A written denial must give reasons. If your written request is denied or delayed, you can go to court (mandamus) or ask the district attorney or the Attorney General to do it. Copies can cost a fee. An office may hold back real trade secrets, but must release the rest of the record. Source

Secret deals (NDAs) signed by local governments · Jan 26, 2026
Wisconsin has no law against local officials signing NDAs with data center developers. Wisconsin Watch found at least four: Beaver Dam (December 2023, for the Meta project), Menomonie (February 2024), Kenosha (with Microsoft, May 2024) and Janesville (2025). A bill to ban such NDAs died in March 2026. Ask your city, village, town or county for any NDA and emails with the developer. Source

Open meetings and closed sessions · Oct 7, 2026
Local boards must post notice of every meeting at least 24 hours ahead. They may go into closed session to bargain over buying public land, investing public money or other business when 'competitive or bargaining reasons' require it, which is often used for early data center talks. The vote to go into closed session must be taken in public. Source

Blacked-out utility filings · May 7, 2026
Utilities often black out parts of data center contracts filed with the PSC. In the Alliant/Meta case a PSC judge ordered Alliant to refile with fewer redactions (February 2026), and the PSC now requires more public reporting on data center contracts for both We Energies and Alliant. Source

💧 Water

Who decides the water a data center uses · Nov 14, 2025
Most big data centers buy water from a city water utility (for example, Microsoft uses Racine's water and Vantage will use Port Washington's). So the city and its water utility decide whether to sell the water. There is no special state water permit for data centers. Because these data centers do not take water straight from Lake Michigan, experts say the Great Lakes Compact review does not apply to them. Source

High capacity wells need DNR approval · Oct 7, 2026
A well (or group of wells on one property) that can pump more than 100,000 gallons a day is a 'high capacity well'. It needs approval from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before it is built or used. Big water users must also register and report their water use to the DNR. You can search well applications and water sources on the DNR water use website. Source

No state water reporting rule for data centers · March 23, 2026
AB 840 (2026) would have required closed-loop cooling and yearly water reports to the DNR, but it failed. As of October 2026 data centers do not have to publicly report their water use to the state unless they run their own high capacity wells. Source

🌫️ Air and generators

Air permits for backup generators (DNR) · Oct 7, 2026
Data centers need an air permit from the DNR for their backup generators. The DNR posts each permit for public comment: you have 30 days from the posting to send written comments or ask for a public hearing. Examples: Microsoft's Mount Pleasant data centers (hearing December 2, 2024; more permits issued June 12, 2026, and a new application filed August 18, 2026) and Vantage WI-1 in Port Washington (permit issued June 12, 2026). The DNR lists applications received, open comment periods and final decisions online. Source

🙋 How to have your say

Who decides a data center near you · Oct 7, 2026
Wisconsin has cities, villages, towns and counties. Cities and villages zone their own land (council or village board, after the plan commission). Towns either use county zoning or adopt their own; county zoning covers only towns that use it. So in many rural places both the town board and the county board matter. Power is a separate decision by the utility and the PSC; water is decided by the water utility (or the DNR for large wells); air permits by the DNR. Source

Rezoning hearings and notices · Oct 7, 2026
A city rezoning needs a public hearing, announced as a 'class 2 notice' (printed twice in the local newspaper). The plan commission reviews it first. Anyone can speak at the hearing. Ask your clerk to put you on the city's list for zoning notices; cities must keep such a list. Source

Towns can object to county rezonings · Oct 7, 2026
In a town under county zoning, the county must send notice of a rezoning hearing to the town clerk at least 10 days before. The town board can pass a resolution disapproving it and file it before, at, or within 10 days after the hearing (30 days if the town has voted for the longer period). If it does, the county zoning committee cannot recommend the rezoning unchanged, and the change does not take effect the day the county board passes it; the county must send it to the towns, which get another chance (40 days) to object. Ask your town board to act in time. Source

Conditional use permits: facts, not feelings · Oct 7, 2026
Many data centers need a conditional use permit. If the applicant meets (or agrees to meet) all the conditions in the ordinance, the city, village, town or county must grant it. Conditions and denials must be based on 'substantial evidence', meaning facts, not personal preferences or guesses. At the hearing, bring facts: noise studies, water numbers, traffic, rules in the ordinance. Source

Appeal deadlines · Oct 7, 2026
A decision of a zoning board of appeals (or board of adjustment) can be taken to circuit court by 'certiorari' within 30 days after the decision is filed. Some approvals follow a newer review law (Wis. Stat. 781.10). Talk to a lawyer early; deadlines are short. Source

How to speak up at the PSC · May 7, 2026
The PSC decides data center power rates, power lines and power plants. It holds public hearings and takes written comments on each case (docket) during a comment period; it extended the comment period in the Alliant/Meta case. Search the docket number (for example 6630-TE-113) on the PSC website. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) represents home and small business customers in these cases. Source

How to ask for records · Oct 7, 2026
Send a short written request (email is fine) to the clerk or records custodian of the city, village, town or county. Name the records, for example: 'any non-disclosure agreement, development agreement, water service agreement and emails with [company] about the data center since January 2024.' You do not need to say who you are or why. Keep a copy; if they deny or delay, you can go to court or ask the DA or Attorney General. Source

🧾 Help with your bills

Home energy help (WHEAP / Home Energy Plus) · Oct 1, 2025
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), part of Home Energy Plus, gives a one-time payment toward heating and electric bills. Apply online year-round; the heating season runs October 1 to May 15. If you are disconnected or about to be, call 1-866-432-8947. For October 2025 to September 2026, a household of 1 qualifies with income up to $38,421 a year, and a household of 4 up to $73,888. The same limits apply to free weatherization. Source

📞 Who to contact

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) · Oct 7, 2026
Three commissioners appointed by the governor. Sets utility rates, approved the We Energies and Alliant data center rules, approves power plants and big power lines, and takes public comments. It does not permit data center buildings. Source

DNR Air Management Program · Oct 7, 2026
Issues air permits for data center backup generators and posts them for 30-day public comment. Source

DNR Water Use / High Capacity Wells · Oct 7, 2026
Approves wells that pump more than 100,000 gallons a day and keeps water use reports. Source

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) · Oct 7, 2026
Certifies data centers for the sales tax break. Source

Wisconsin Department of Revenue · Oct 7, 2026
Runs the sales tax exemption for certified data centers (Fact Sheet 2114). Source

DOJ Office of Open Government · Oct 7, 2026
Answers questions about the public records and open meetings laws and can be asked to enforce them. Source

Wisconsin Legislature · Oct 7, 2026
Bill texts and histories, with RSS feeds for each bill. Source

Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin (CUB) · Oct 7, 2026
Nonprofit that represents home and small business customers at the PSC in rate and data center cases. Source

Home Energy Plus (Department of Administration) · Oct 7, 2026
Energy bill help and weatherization. Statewide line: 1-866-432-8947. Source