Wisconsin data center and energy laws

What it would do: Requires data centers to use closed-loop cooling systems, file annual water usage reports, and post bonds with the state. Prohibits allocating electric infrastructure costs to other customers and requires renewable energy facilities serving data centers to be located at the data center site.

What it would do: Establishes annual fees on large energy customers based on peak electricity demand, ranging from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000+, with half funding a green innovation fund. Requires data centers to meet green building standards, pay prevailing wages, report water usage, and use 70% renewable energy to qualify for sales tax exemptions.

What it would do: Prohibits political subdivisions and data centers from entering into nondisclosure agreements that conceal data center development details from the public, except agreements protecting trade secrets.

What it would do: Creates a moratorium prohibiting any person from operating a data center in Wisconsin unless the state establishes a planning authority, prohibits cost-shifting to residential customers, requires 100 percent renewable energy, mandates prevailing wages, and meets twelve other specified conditions as determined by the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

What it would do: Creates an exemption from the 12 percent limit findings requirement for tax incremental financing districts where all project costs relate to a qualified data center, and prohibits such districts from later amending their project plans to include unrelated costs.

What it would do: Modifies the sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers to include buildings that provide rental of space and utilities, and excludes buildings used for cryptocurrency creation and blockchain transaction verification.

What it would do: Requires large data center developers to encourage hiring Wisconsin residents, prohibits utilities from allocating data center costs to other customers, mandates renewable energy facilities serving large data centers be located on-site, and requires data centers to use closed-loop cooling systems and file bonds with the state.