LETTER: Tell data centers to make own electricity with rooftop solar

To Ozaukee Press:

I am encouraged by the legislative attention that the flurry of data center plans in Wisconsin is causing. Elements of both Republican and Democratic proposals have some merit.

I hope our state legislators can reach across the aisle and sincerely work together to produce a truly effective bill that not only grows Wisconsin’s economy but errs on the side of caution regarding protecting Wisconsin’s resources and natural environment.

What I don’t see is any specific requirement for on-site energy production besides that any renewable energy production serving the new facility needs to be done on site. This seems to be in response to outcry over solar fields replacing farm fields but doesn’t really address the added power demand.

These buildings have huge flat roof areas. Seems like a no-brainer, but why not require each data center to fill their roofs with PV panels? These companies have more than enough money to provide these and it will reduce the amount of supplemental power utilities will need to provide.

Russ Drewry

Milwaukee