A relatively obscure agency, Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission was a popular subject of discussion among candidates for governor during the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s recent data center forum.
During the July 29 forum at Milwaukee’s Turner Hall, the five Democratic candidates for governor said they want to expand the utility regulator’s role in protecting residents from energy and environmental costs associated with hyperscale data centers.
Frontrunner Francesca Hong, a state representative from Madison, said she’d like to see the PSC enact stricter reporting requirements for utility companies. She wants public health officials involved with the commission.
“This is ultimately a public health issue, when we are seeing coal-fired plants and that pollution rates go up,” Hong said during the forum.
Meanwhile, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said he’d screen commissioners for their commitment to clean energy and “making sure that it is the public’s interest that is always put first.”
Barnes has since dropped from the race.
But what is the Public Service Commission, and how does it regulate data centers? Here’s what to know:
What is the Public Service Commission?
The Public Service Commission is Wisconsin’s independent public utility regulator. It’s bound by state law to protect the interest of both energy customers and utility company investors.
The agency’s three commissioners rule on cases related to setting new utility rates or the construction of power plants and transmission lines. Commissioners are advised by a large staff of auditors, economists, engineers and other analysts.
How does the PSC regulate data centers?
The PSC does not have authority to approve individual data center projects – that lies with local governments. Rather, it sets the terms for how utility companies charge their electric customers, which now include the tech companies that own data centers.
Since early 2025, utility companies have submitted proposals to the PSC to directly assign data center-related costs to the tech companies that own them, shielding residents from higher energy bills. The commission approved one of these plans in April with modifications to strengthen ratepayer protections. Two more are pending.
The PSC also rules on proposals for new power plants being built to serve data centers. An array of solar, wind, battery storage and natural gas projects are pending commission approval.
Who makes PSC appointments?
The PSC’s three commissioners are appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate.
They serve staggered six-year terms.
Who are the commissioners?
All three commissioners were appointed by Gov. Tony Evers:
This story was updated to add a photo.
Francesca Pica can be reached at fpica@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This agency is key to Wisconsin’s data center debate. What does it do?
Reporting by Francesca Pica, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Francesca Pica, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
