LA CROSSE, WI — Congressman Derrick Van Orden today reaffirmed his non-negotiables for responsible data center development in Wisconsin, clear that data centers will not be allowed to come at the expense of Wisconsin farmland, water, electric ratepayers, or local communities.
Van Orden’s Non-Negotiables for Responsible Data Center Development in Wisconsin include:
LOCAL CONTROL, LOCAL BUY-IN
Wisconsin families and local communities must have the final say over what gets built in their communities. Data center development should not be imposed on communities without local input or consent.
PROTECT WISCONSIN FARMLAND
Productive Wisconsin farmland will not be paved over for data centers.
RATEPAYER PROTECTION
Data centers will not begin construction until they have signed agreements with local utilities and communities to cover the new energy and grid infrastructure their facilities require, ensuring Wisconsin families are not left paying the bill.
PROTECT WISCONSIN’S WATER
Data centers must use technology that minimizes their impact on Wisconsin’s water resources. Closed-loop and air-cooled cooling systems should be utilized wherever feasible, and data centers must not pollute or deplete local water supplies.
EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE
Wisconsin should prioritize locations with existing infrastructure rather than placing massive facilities in the middle of communities and rural farmland. Existing military bases and other appropriate sites should be considered before developing new sites to address noise pollution.
Van Orden said these principles will continue to guide his engagement with developers, local governments, utilities, farmers, and communities as Wisconsin evaluates future data center projects.
Check out Van Orden’s Non negotiable terms graphic below
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