(The Center Square) – Wisconsin voters believe that the cost of data centers outweigh the benefits with 69% of those responding to a recent Marquette Poll saying as much.
That’s after 70% said the same thing in a February poll.
One change in those numbers was that more Republicans now oppose data centers while fewer Democrats are now in opposition.
The University of Marquette Law School poll asked 850 registered voters about their preferences from March 11-18.
Large-scale data center projects have popped up across the state in recent years with the tax incentives often hidden in tax increment districts and waiving sales tax on construction materials, something that has led to that $70 million in forgone sales tax in its first two years.
Data centers in Mount Pleasant, Verona, Beaver Dam and Port Washington have been certified by the state to be eligible for the sales tax exemption.
Several bills looking to limit the impact of data centers on energy rates and one looking to block non-disclosure agrees that was backed by comedian Charlie Berens were discussed but did not pass the Legislature before session closed.
