Sierra Club Wisconsin Applauds New Data Center Accountability Legislation - CleanTechnica

The Sierra Club Wisconsin has praised new legislation introduced by State Sen. Habush Sinykin and Rep. Angela Stroud aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for data centers being developed across Wisconsin. Currently, data centers are not required to cover the full costs of the additional infrastructure or energy grid demands they impose, potentially leaving other ratepayers to shoulder these expenses. The proposed bill seeks to protect Wisconsin’s natural resources, promote clean energy, and safeguard workers and ratepayers by mandating quarterly reports on electricity and water usage, requiring data centers to meet labor standards and use at least 70% renewable energy to qualify for tax credits, and ensuring all data centers achieve LEED certification or equivalent. Additionally, data center owners would pay an annual fee to fund renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-income energy assistance programs. The legislation responds to concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of large data centers, which consume vast amounts of water—comparable to the usage of towns with 10,000 to