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Wisconsin urged to regulate AI data centers’ massive water use

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Tressie Kamp and Center for Water Policy issued model urging Wisconsin lawmakers to adopt AI data-center goals: planning, transparency, ratepayer protection, efficiency permits, funding.
A survey found 70 percent say costs outweigh benefits, and data centers used 17 billion gallons of water and 211 billion gallons indirectly in 2023.
Kamp said Compact lacks data on data-center water use, while Microsoft’s in Pleasant aims to stop evaporation but leaves water and energy impacts unclear.

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Story summary

Tressie Kamp and Center for Water Policy issued model urging Wisconsin lawmakers to adopt AI data-center goals: planning, transparency, ratepayer protection, efficiency permits, funding.
A survey found 70 percent say costs outweigh benefits, and data centers used 17 billion gallons of water and 211 billion gallons indirectly in 2023.
Kamp said Compact lacks data on data-center water use, while Microsoft’s in Pleasant aims to stop evaporation but leaves water and energy impacts unclear.