The League of Women Voters-Manitowoc County is a nonpartisan political organization working to increase understanding of major public policy issues/.   We influence public policy through both education and advocacy.  We encourage informed, active participation in government.

 

 

A resource list regarding Hyperscale Data Centers

​

The rapid and unregulated construction of hypersacale data centers poses a threat to the environmental and economic well being of our county even if they are not built within the county.  AI Data Center development will impact all aspects of society.  There are many things to consider in the discussionWe  We offer a list of sources that address our concerns about the risks associated with the construction and operation of these facilities.  Some offer a broad overview, while others provide in-depth analysis of a particular aspect of AI data center development.  We have tried to choose legitimate sources we feel offer accurate and up-to-date information.

​

Update on the AI Data Center moratorium  July 15, 2026                                                               

In May of this year the Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution creating an 18 month moratorium on the permitting of large data centers in our county.  The purpose of the moratorium is to give the county time to develop ordinances and regulations regarding how data centers can be developed and what rules they must follow while they are operating. Issues that should be addressed by these regulations would include; size and location, size and placement of buildings, setbacks and proximity to residences or other sensitive facilities, noise and light pollution, water usage and contamination, use of electrical generators, source of electrical power, cost of infrastructure improvements, bond funds to cover the cost of land rehabilitation should the facility close.

​

7/27/26  The first draft of the ordinance has been completed by the Planning and Zoning committee and is currently being reviewed by the county lawyer.  The review will probably take at least a month. After the lawyer’s review the draft  will go back to the Planning & Zoning people with recommendations for changes.  At that  time it may also go to the Planning & Parks Commission for review.  If this happens, there will be an opportunity for public comments.  If you want to have input into the development of the ordinance, now is the time to submit your concerns to the Planning & Parks Commission, the County Executive and the County Supervisors.

​

We are monitoring the process and will try to let the public know when public hearings are scheduled.

 Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel Town Hall meeting Feb. 2026

​

An excellent overview of the economic, social and environmental issues related to development of AI Data Centers.  Broken down into sections with panels that present various perspectives on each issue.

​

Wisconsin data centers: Watch Journal Sentinel's full Power & Water Town Hall Meetingyoutu.be 

​​​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​​

Consumer Reports March 20, 2026 report

AI Data Centers: Big Tech's Impact on Electric Bills, Water, and More

https://www.consumerreports.org/data-centers/ai-data-centers-impact-on-electric bills-water-and-more-

a1040338678/#:~:text=The%20International%20Energy%2 0Agency%20says,least%205%20GW%20to%20run.

 

Wi Data center document repository

A collaborative collection of information from Wisconsin citizens that

offers general information about AI data centers, environmental and economic concerns. Includes specific information about communities where AI data centers are being built https://www.widatacenterfacts.org/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPlwS5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzc nRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeJFxQS99CAM3g0jT0g1GFH GUdvz3X1sT3nljZWsCOvg-9XgvI-fwSCR1FN38_aem_nkswcUDciH7LbmqsLDa LNQ

 

World Resource Institute, Feb. 17, 2026

From Energy Use to Air Quality, the Many Ways Data Centers Affect US Communities

https://www.wri.org/insights/us-data-center-growth-impacts

How AI Data centers Eat the World

You tube video by High YIeld; Everything Silicon Analysis, commentary and current developments in hardware and tech.

A more technical explanation of how AI data centers differ from conventional data centers and the difference it makes

 

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

 

​

​

Alliance for the Great Lakes web links

● Great Lakes Unprepared for water use

httpshttps://greatlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AGL_WaterUseeport_Aug2025_Factsheet.pdf

● A Community Checklist for Evaluating Data Center Impacts

A list of questions to be asked when considering approving development of data centers

https://greatlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AGL_CommCheck_EvalData Center_2026_Final.pdf

● A Checklist for Community and Environmental Benefits

A list of questions to ask when negotiating with developers

https://greatlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AGL_CommCheck_CommEn viro_2026_Final.pdf

 

 

Fortune ( a publication of Fortune 500) article April 1, 2026

Data centers create mico-climates with elevated air temperatures

https://fortune.com/2026/04/01/ai-data-centers-heat-island-hyperscalers/?fbclid=IwdGR zaARJvh5jbGNrBEm-B2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzM TcyOAABHqkX_v6xh7GNRd_jE5cbtRTJZwdD6MJDk4iOiG3Myb5e_6ZnzH9KulHT7Vci _aem_vRqqW94WnOHQCy6fz7hNvQ

​

Environmental and Energy Science Institute website articles

● Data Center Water Usage

https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption#:~:text=A pproximately%2080%25%20of%20the%20water%20(typically%20freshwater),de signed%20to%20handle%20such%20a%20high%20volume

● Data Center Power Demands are Contributing to Higher Electric Bills

https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-center-power-demands-are-contributing-to -higher-energy-bills

 

 

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

This list was compiled by Ginny Zipperer for the League of Women Voters of Manitowoc County Environmental Committee   Updated July 14,  2026