State Representative Andrew Hysell says Wisconsin should move toward statewide rules for AI data centers as communities raise questions about utility demand, water use, noise, vibration, and environmental impact.
Speaking on WBEV’s Community Comment, Hysell said there are currently no statewide rules specifically governing data centers in Wisconsin. He said that leaves counties, cities, villages, and towns to respond locally, creating what he described as a patchwork approach.
The discussion comes as data center proposals continue to draw attention across Wisconsin, including local questions in the Dodge County area about whether communities should consider temporary moratoriums or new local standards.
Hysell said he supports local governments taking action where they have authority, but believes state lawmakers should set broader rules. He said the issue affects more than just the community where a data center is located because large facilities can place significant demand on the electric grid.
Hysell said areas lawmakers should examine include whether large data centers should help provide their own power, whether renewable energy requirements should be considered, and whether nearby residents should be protected from noise, vibration, pollution, or other impacts.
He also said economic development claims should be weighed against the costs communities and utility customers may face. Hysell said data centers may add value to the state economy, but he questioned whether job creation numbers are enough to justify allowing large projects without stronger standards.
Hysell said he supported Assembly Bill 722, a data center-related proposal from the last session. Public legislative records describe that bill as dealing with large energy customer fees, a very large customer utility class, renewable resource tariffs, building requirements for data centers, water usage by large customers, pay rates on large-scale data center projects, and rule-making authority.
