Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in Wisconsin to pay for requested electric infrastructure improvements and use a finite and recyclable amount of water.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the Public Service Commission from allocating or recovering costs for electric infrastructure that primarily serves a data center from other utility customers (Sec. 1). 

• Requires any renewable energy facility that primarily serves the load of a data center to be located at the site of the data center (Sec. 2). 

• Requires water used by a data center for cooling purposes to be contained in a closed-loop system that continually recycles a fixed volume of water (Sec. 3). 

• Requires data center operators to annually report their total water usage for the preceding 12-month period to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (Sec. 3). 

• Prohibits the operation of a data center unless the operator files a bond or other security with the DNR sufficient to cover estimated reclamation costs (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the owner of a proposed data center to notify the DNR and restore the land to its original condition if construction is not complete (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text