Wisconsin Lawmakers Advocate for Local Control Over Data Center Development Amidst Public Concern
Wisconsin state lawmakers are largely in agreement that local governments should have control over the development of data centers. This consensus emerges as data centers become a 'toxic issue' for voters, according to Rep. David Steffen, a Republican from the Green Bay area and chair of the state Assembly’s energy and utilities committee. While some lawmakers, like Steffen, remain 'agnostic' on the issue itself, they emphasize the importance of public understanding regarding data centers, aiming to dispel notions that these facilities are inherently harmful. The debate highlights a tension between economic development opportunities and local community concerns, particularly regarding land use. For instance, land for Meta’s data center in Beaver Dam was annexed by the city from the town of Trenton in 2019, leading to a situation where local residents like Kocinski, who live near the data center, cannot address their concerns with the Beaver Dam city officials who now have jurisdiction over the project.
