Wisconsin regulators are facing mounting pushback over proposals for two natural gas plants linked to the surge in electricity use expected from data centers.
Critics say the projects could lock in pollution, strain water resources, and expose nearby communities to serious health risks, WTMJ reported.
What's happening?
In southeast Wisconsin, Chicago-based Invenergy wants to develop a pair of gas-fired plants: Foundry Ridge, a 324-megawatt facility in Darien, and Red Oak Ridge, a 1,186-megawatt facility in Paris.
In separate filings, We Energies sought to buy electricity from those plants to serve what it described as "substantial data center load additions," per WTMJ.
Opponents say the proposals are advancing through a regulatory blind spot.
That concern centers on Invenergy's status as an independent power producer.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
In plant construction cases, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has no authority to weigh public impacts; those issues are considered in We Energies' power-purchase requests.
"It restricts the power and voice of ratepayers and excludes opportunities for debating which type of power source is best," said Maria Fernanda Chavez, senior energy analyst with Union of Concerned Scientists, according to WTMJ.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison projected that particulate matter pollution from the two plants could lead to $1.4 billion in health harms nationwide over 30 years.
Why does it matter?
"The University of Wisconsin scientists project that just one air pollutant, PM 2.5 … could take the lives of 118 U.S. citizens, 41 of whom are likely to be Wisconsinites," UW Health Kids Dr. Andrew Lewandowski told WTMJ.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Water use is another major concern for residents, along with local air pollution.
At full capacity, Red Oak Ridge could consume 240,000 gallons of Lake Michigan water per day, while Foundry Ridge could use over 55,000 gallons of groundwater.
"These pollutants don't stay inside a fence line. They drift in our fields, settle on our plants, and get breathed in by our kids and neighbors," Charlie Shahbazian of Paris said, as WTMJ reported.
Fossil fuel infrastructure harms nearby communities through both air and water pollution.
Coal and natural gas power plants are linked to higher rates of asthma, heart disease, cancer, and premature death.
They also keep household energy costs high when utilities remain tethered to fossil fuel sources instead of drawing more abundant energy from sunlight and wind.
Critics argue that industry lobbying can delay cleaner, cheaper energy solutions that would better protect families while lowering bills.
What's being done?
The PSC is considering testimony and public comments before deciding whether the projects should move forward.
Public feedback has been largely negative, with residents voicing worries about pollution, water use, rural industrial growth, and possible costs for ratepayers.
Health and environmental groups are speaking out as well.
"No community should continue to bear the burden of air pollution levels that harm public health, and Paris has already been a frontline community," Molly Collins, advocacy director for Wisconsin and South Dakota at the American Lung Association, told WTMJ.
Opponents are also highlighting a resource demand they say often gets overlooked: the water needed to supply fossil-fueled electricity for data centers.
"It's less talked about how much water electricity itself uses when it comes from fossil fuels," said Cassie Steiner, senior campaign coordinator with Sierra Club Wisconsin. "Combined, data centers and fossil fuels are really thirsty."
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
