Data centers become flashpoint in Wisconsin governor’s race

MADISON, Wis. (Gray) - Data centers have increasingly become an issue in the race for Wisconsin’s next governor, with Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany outlining their plans to crackdown on the quickly growing industry.

This week, Tiffany released a TV ad this week calling his Democratic opponent “Data Center David Crowley.”

A July Marquette Law School poll reveals nearly 75% of Wisconsinites say the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits.

In the 2023-24 state budget, Wisconsin passed a tax exemption aimed at attracting data centers to the state. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates it could cost the state $2 billion in foregone sales tax revenue.

“We’re going to end the subsidies that were signed into law a couple years ago. They do not need to be subsidized by us, the taxpayers. And we’re going to make sure that people’s electricity rates do not go up,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany said protecting farmland is a must.

“I would make sure that my Department of Natural Resources thoroughly reviews the permits that they ask for so that they are following the environmental regulations here in Wisconsin,” Tiffany said.

Crowley said accountability is his top priority for data centers.

“They have to pay their own way. They need to pay for their own infrastructure, and they need to bring their own new clean energy,” Crowley said.

On Tuesday, Crowley was endorsed by environmental group Clean Wisconsin Action Fund for his work in sustainability.

“I am committed to working with the state legislature to make sure that we have as many guardrails as possible, and we’re going to make sure that we protect our natural resources as well as the people of Wisconsin,” Crowley said.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.