Hyperscale data centers are exactly what they sound like: massive facilities built to handle enormous volumes of data. They support the growing demand for cloud computing, cryptocurrency, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence.
These large-scale operations can house thousands of servers and require complex systems to manage power, data processing, and cooling. Because they operate continuously, hyperscale data centers rely on extensive energy infrastructure and backup generators to prevent downtime and ensure constant access to data.
Wisconsin needs legislation that protects our climate, air, water, and pocketbooks from the enormous energy use of data centers.
The Republican majority introduced a bill that purports to protect our water and ratepayers, but it does the opposite. The bill, AB840, the “Poison Pill Bill,” lets Big Tech off the hook as it doesn’t require Big Tech pay their fair share, which means all Wisconsinites could see their energy bills rise, to pay for these data centers.
The bill also requires that any renewable energy used to power data centers must be located on the data center's property. Given the enormous amount of energy that data centers use, this means that only a portion of the energy will come from clean energy – and most of it will be powered by expensive, dangerous fossil fuels. This means more dirty air, backtracking on our climate goals, and higher electricity bills.
Ask Governor Evers and your State Senator to oppose the Poison Pill Data Center Bill today.
