GREEN BAY — State Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner is encouraging residents to attend the upcoming Brown County Board meeting and voice their support for a proposed moratorium on large scale AI data centers, calling the measure a commonsense step toward ensuring Wisconsin puts safeguards in place before approving major new developments. Rivera-Wagner said he hopes the proposal is approved and advances a broader conversation about responsible regulation of the rapidly growing industry. Rivera-Wagner thanked Brown County Supervisor Chris Welch for leading the effort and bringing forward a conversation that has united residents across political and geographic lines.
“This is not about being against technology or innovation,” said Rivera-Wagner. “It is about making sure Wisconsin communities have real protections in place before we move forward. I encourage residents to attend, testify, and make their voices heard. I hope the Brown County Board supports this proposal and sends a clear message that Wisconsin communities deserve a seat at the table before decisions of this magnitude are made.”
Concerns about large scale AI data centers continue to grow as communities learn more about their potential impact on energy demand, water consumption, utility rates, local infrastructure, and workforce standards. The issue has drawn attention from local officials, labor organizations, environmental advocates, and public voices such as Charlie Berens, who has helped raise awareness about protecting Wisconsin’s resources and communities.
Rivera-Wagner previously supported similar efforts at the state level, including AB 722 , legislation that would have established stronger guardrails for large scale data centers, including protections for ratepayers, transparency requirements, labor standards, oversight of major energy and water users, and measures to ensure the costs of these projects are not shifted onto Wisconsin families. While the legislation did not receive a hearing, Rivera-Wagner said the concerns remain valid and deserve serious consideration.
“We can welcome economic development while still protecting the people who already call Wisconsin home,” Rivera-Wagner said. “The question is not whether data centers should exist. The question is whether they should operate without meaningful safeguards. The cost of reasonable regulation is small. The cost of getting this wrong could mean higher utility bills, greater strain on our resources, increased pressure on local infrastructure, and fewer protections for workers and communities. Wisconsin should establish the rules before opening the door.”
Rivera-Wagner said the proposal reflects a principle that resonates across party lines: growth should benefit communities, not happen at their expense.
“The best ideas do not always fit neatly into partisan divides. Protecting ratepayers, workers, natural resources, and local control are values shared by people across Wisconsin. Growth without guardrails is not a strategy. It is a gamble. This proposal will only succeed if people make their voices heard. I encourage residents to attend, testify, and help us put common sense protections in place before these projects move forward.”
