Wisconsin Public Radio reports that a Microsoft executive is supportive of new state laws to regulate date center developments in Wisconsin.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president and vice chair, was also in favor of a “Very Large Customer” energy rate from We Energies for data centers in the state.
“We want to pay a higher price so that our data center does not increase the price of electricity for consumers,” Smith said in an interview with WPR. “That’s the right thing to do for the state and for our business.”
On Tuesday, Microsoft announced the “Community-First AI Infrastructure” plan which it hopes will address concerns about data centers as there has been much pushback from state residents on the projects.
Many of those concerns are focused on energy consumption and effects on the environment, especially with water.
Microsoft is investing more than $7 billion in two data centers in Mount Pleasant and planning for another in Kenosha. The company ended plans for a data center in Caledonia amid community opposition.
