New Toolkit Helps Communities Push Back Against Big Tech As Data Center Proposals Surge In Wisconsin - CleanTechnica

The article discusses a newly released toolkit designed to help Wisconsin communities respond to the surge in proposals for hyperscale data centers by Big Tech companies. These data centers are known for their extreme energy consumption and potential negative impacts on local resources, including increased utility costs, air pollution, and strain on community infrastructure. The toolkit provides educational resources, advocacy guidance, and practical steps for residents to understand the implications of data centers and to engage effectively in local decision-making processes. Key environmental and community leaders from organizations such as Sierra Club Wisconsin, Healthy Climate Wisconsin, Green Fire Wisconsin, and Midwest Environmental Advocates emphasize the importance of community awareness, early involvement in permitting, and collective action to ensure transparency and protective measures. The article also highlights upcoming local government meetings in Kenosha, Menomonie, DeForest, and Port Washington where decisions about specific data center proposals will be made, underscoring the urgency for community participation. The Sierra Club, as a major environmental organization, supports these efforts to safeguard natural resources and public