GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Leaders from across Northeast Wisconsin had the opportunity Wednesday to learn more about data centers.
75 elected officials were registered to attend an education forum at UW-Green Bay. It comes as communities throughout the region have raised concerns about data centers being built in our area.
Utility rate increases, environmental concerns and job losses are just some of the most common complaints.
Wednesday’s forum was led by New North Inc., an economic development agency.
“Let them have the information, so that when it’s time for their communities to make decisions, they can really help their communities,” said President & CEO Patti Habeck.
New North has several data center fact sheets. Listed sheets are:
- Energy consumption
- Water consumption
- Economic benefits
- Q&A
The city of Janesville is in the process of bringing a data center to its community.
“The amount of economic value, the amount of long-term sustainability into a community like ours, is hugely substantial,” said Janesville City Manager Kevin Lahner.
Lahner said data centers bring in revenue. He added the development of a data center could offset the need for an operational referendum.
Across two panels at the forum, several speakers echoed a similar message. They said they feel legislation is needed regarding data centers for reasons such as helping put the community’s mind at ease. Both Democratic and Republican state lawmakers have introduced data center legislation.
“One thing just that everybody agrees on is that if data centers are going to be built, your electrical bill and my electrical bill shouldn’t build up as a result of that. They should pay their own freight,” said State Sen. Jamie Wall, D-Green Bay.
According to a Marquette Law School poll released Tuesday, 69% of those surveyed said the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits. Surveyed Republicans were 62%, Democrats were 77% and independents at 69%.
