Affordable Energy Starts with Fair Rates

Utilities and tech companies are publicly promising they will pay 100% of the energy costs associated with new data center development. That commitment is important – but a promise is not protection.

Wisconsinites should not be on the hook for the massive energy and infrastructure costs to serve billion‑dollar data centers. A statewide plan that promotes transparency and affordability is key to holding tech companies accountable for their massive energy and infrastructure costs.

Affordable Energy Starts with Fair Rates

Utilities and tech companies are publicly promising they will pay 100% of the energy costs associated with new data center development. That commitment is important – but a promise is not protection.

Wisconsinites should not be on the hook for the massive energy and infrastructure costs to serve billion‑dollar data centers. A statewide plan that promotes transparency and affordability is key to holding tech companies accountable for their massive energy and infrastructure costs.

What’s at Stake?

We must protect Wisconsinites by ensuring data centers’ energy demands do not come at the expense of everyday customers through higher utility bills and a compromised energy future.

Just two data center projects in We Energies’ service territory – Microsoft’s facilities in Mt. Pleasant and Vantage/OpenAI’s facility in Port Washington – would consume as much electricity as all We Energies customers statewide used in 2024.

We Energies’ Rate Structure Proposal

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is considering a special rate structure or “tariff” for “Very Large Customers” (VLC), like data centers. This tariff will determine if data center developers pay for their power and infrastructure, or if those costs will fall on everyday customers. The comment period for this has closed and the PSC will make a decision on this issue in the spring.

Alliant Energy Individual Contract Rate Agreement

Alliant Energy is seeking approval for an Individual Contract Rate Agreement to serve a data center campus under construction in Beaver Dam from the PSC. However, the case in front of the PSC has been largely redacted from public view — including the data center’s energy demand, the contract length and termination payment calculations.

The PSC should reject this contract application and require Alliant to file a tariff, or rate structure, which is a stronger way to protect customers from the costs of data centers than an individual contract.

What’s at Stake?

We must protect Wisconsinites by ensuring data centers’ energy demands do not come at the expense of everyday customers through higher utility bills and a compromised energy future.

Just two data center projects in We Energies’ service territory – Microsoft’s facilities in Mt. Pleasant and Vantage/OpenAI’s facility in Port Washington – would consume as much electricity as all We Energies customers statewide used in 2024.

We Energies’ Rate Structure Proposal

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is considering a special rate structure or “tariff” for “Very Large Customers” (VLC), like data centers. This tariff will determine if data center developers pay for their power and infrastructure, or if those costs will fall on everyday customers. The comment period for this has closed and the PSC will make a decision on this issue in the spring.

Alliant Energy Individual Contract Rate Agreement

Alliant Energy is seeking approval for an Individual Contract Rate Agreement to serve a data center campus under construction in Beaver Dam from the PSC. However, the case in front of the PSC has been largely redacted from public view — including the data center’s energy demand, the contract length and termination payment calculations.

The PSC should reject this contract application and require Alliant to file a tariff, or rate structure, which is a stronger way to protect customers from the costs of data centers than an individual contract.

No Discounts for Big Tech

Power Wisconsin Forward supports the concept of a rate structure for very large energy users that truly protects Wisconsin families and small businesses.

Require billion-dollar tech companies to pay 100% of the costs associated with serving their energy demand — including energy generation, transmission, and distribution — within the rate structure.

Lower the threshold for who qualifies as a large energy user to 20 megawatts (MW+), ensuring protections apply broadly and reflect real-world energy use.

Match contract lengths to the full lifespan of the energy infrastructure built to serve these customers, so costs are not shifted to the public if a data center leaves or downsizes.

Apply to all nongovernmental large customers without exceptions, preventing companies from opting in or out of the rate structure.

No Discount for Big Tech

Power Wisconsin Forward supports the concept of a rate structure for very large energy users that truly protects Wisconsin families and small businesses.

Require billion-dollar tech companies to pay 100% of the costs associated with serving their energy demand — including energy generation, transmission, and distribution — within the rate structure.

Lower the threshold for who qualifies as a large energy user to 20 megawatts (MW+), ensuring protections apply broadly and reflect real-world energy use.

Match contract lengths to the full lifespan of the energy infrastructure built to serve these customers, so costs are not shifted to the public if a data center leaves or downsizes.

Apply to all nongovernmental large customers without exceptions, preventing companies from opting in or out of the rate structure.

Get Involved: Demand Big Tech Pays Their Fair Share

Now is the time to speak up and demand fair, responsible rules that put Wisconsin customers first.

Public Service Commission (PSC)

Submit a Comment to the PSC: Make Your Voice Heard

The public comment period for Alliant Energy’s Individual Contract Rate Agreement is open until March 3, 2026.

Make your voice heard by submitting a comment to the PSC here.

Attend One of the PSC's Virtual Public Hearings

Toolkits and FAQs

Toolkit: Protect Communities from Data Center Costs

Use Healthy Climate Wisconsin’s toolkit to learn how to submit public comments and make your voice heard in this case!

FAQs: Make Data Centers Pay Their Way

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the rate tariff proposal that will determine if data center developers pay for their power and infrastructure, or if those costs will land on customers.

Events

Feb. 24: Sierra Club, Public Hearing: No Discounts for Data Centers

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) will decide how much data centers in We Energies & WPS territory will pay for their electricity and infrastructure. We must ensure that Wisconsinites do not subsidize Big Tech billionaires through higher energy bills. Register here to make sure that the PSC hears loud and clear: no discounts for data centers!

Feb. 24: Fight for Our Lights: Town Hall on We Energies Rates

The Utility Justice Town Hall for City of Milwaukee residents will gather local and state officials to hear directly from residents about how data center demand may increase their utility bills and how communities can take action. Register here.