Wisconsin Statewide Data Center Day of Action

media release: Join NO Data Center Organizers from across the state, PSL Milwaukee, Madison, Fighting Oligarchy Coalition, and on Thursday, February 12, at Noon outside the Capitol and then at 12:45 inside the Capitol for a presser and panel featuring No data center organizers.

https://www.facebook.com/events/26169144912717440/

A coalition of grassroots “No Data Center” organizations and community members across Wisconsin are joining together for a rally in the state Capitol building at noon on Thursday, February 12, 2026, to oppose the rapid expansion of corporate data centers and demand action be taken by state legislators to protect Wisconsinites and slow or stop data center development.

Demonstrators from every city in Wisconsin faced with a data center or proposed site will rally outside the state Capitol at the Forward statute to press our shared demands and show the strength and vibrancy of Wisconsinites’ opposition to data centers. They will then convene inside the state Capitol building in room 400SE for a press conference and learning session ledby a panel of organizers.

This action is meant to voice concerns over energy costs, water use, land grabs, and lack of public accountability tied to hyperscale AI data center development. To this day, the state legislature has not taken action to address major expansions of datacenter infrastructure across Wisconsin from residents of all backgrounds and political beliefs, conservative and progressive. Madison has only worsened the problem, passing sales and use tax exemptions as well as TID exemptions for the Beaver Dam and Port Washington data centers. These decisions hurt small cities’ financial future and hamper our state government’s ability to pay for infrastructure and other more pressing public needs.

Additionally, organizers and participating groups say these megaprojects raise serious concerns about rising electricity costs, long-term fossil fuel dependence, water resource depletion, and the growing use of public funds to support private corporate infrastructure.

RANGE OF DEMANDS FROM PARTICIPATING GROUPS

Some groups are calling for sweeping proposals, including:

● A statewide moratorium on data center development

● An immediate freeze on energy rate increases

● Relative equalization of energy rates paid by VLCs and residents

● Repeal of special tax incremental district (TID), and sales and use exemptions for datacenters

Participating organizations are advancing a spectrum of demands, including:

● Stronger public oversight and transparency in data center development

● Protections for ratepayers from rising energy costs

● Limits on the use of public subsidies for private infrastructure