The Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin is calling for a pause in new data center proposals.
“While we recognize the immediate and time-sensitive factors driving data center developments, we urge state leaders to take a holistic, forward-looking approach – one that balances speed-to-market timelines with long-term sustainability, affordability, and reliability practices,” the organization said in a Jan. 23 statement.
The coalition released a set guidelines it wants lawmakers to consider on how to address the flood of data center proposals coming to the state. The coalition is made up of several environmental groups including Clean Wisconsin and the Walnut Way Conservation Corp.
“Without this framework, Wisconsin risks increasing costs from continued fossil fuel expansion, and the related climate and health impacts from keeping fossil fuel energy generation online past the state’s and utility companies’ stated retirement timelines,” the organization stated. “Left unchecked, rapid growth in this sector threatens to increase residents’ energy burden, further strain affordability, and undermine progress toward an affordable, reliable, resilient clean energy future.”
Here are some of the initiatives the organization wants elected officials to consider when evaluating if a data center is appropriate for the community:
“Wisconsin is at a critical crossroads regarding data center expansion,” said Chelsea Chandler, climate, energy and air program director at Clean Wisconsin in a statement.
“Without a strategic framework in place, the unprecedented speed and scale of these projects will continue raising energy costs for families and small businesses, and prolonging our state’s reliance on fossil fuels. We have a narrow window to act to make sure data center development costs don’t fall on Wisconsin families and small businesses and impact our state’s environmental and clean energy goals.”
Microsoft pledges more transparency, environmental groups waiting for proof
Microsoft is nearing completion of its first data center in Mount Pleasant and plans to break ground on a second data center this year. The company is also proposing 15 more data centers over the next several years.
After facing public pressure from residents in Caledonia, Microsoft said it needs to be more transparent with communities where it plans to build data centers.
While environmental groups have welcomed the statements of increased transparency, many are skeptical of how these developments will play out in reality.
“This is an ‘all hands on deck’ moment for state policymakers,” said Jennifer Giegerich, government affairs director at Wisconsin Conservation Voters, in a statement.
“The approach we’ve outlined is a starting point and provides the opportunity for Wisconsin to get ahead of data center development – rather than just reacting to it. We developed a strategy that balances policies to address energy affordability and protect the environment, while supporting the state’s economic development and job creation efforts.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin environmental groups call for pause in data center projects
Reporting by Ricardo Torres, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
