Sheboygan should reject any proposed AI data center in our city because it can threaten our water, strain our infrastructure, and deliver almost nothing in return for the people who actually live here.  I support a moratorium of the construction of any AI data center in Sheboygan.

Energy and Utility Costs—

Data centers in Wisconsin use massive amounts of electricity, requiring new power plant construction and huge cost increases for local residents.  To meet these energy demands, utilities are firing up new natural gas plants, fueling more air pollution.  The Edgewood power plant in Sheboygan is currently expanding, and will not change from coal power to natural gas until 2028!  Even now, energy bills are rising at twice the rate of inflation.  It appears that dirty air is here to stay!

Public Health Impact—

Poor air quality directly translates into poorer health outcomes for residents. According to recent estimates, the public health burden of U.S. data centers will reach more than $20 billion annually by 2030—a figure double that of the entire U.S. coal-based steelmaking industry.

Water Consumption— 

AI data centers use lots and lots of water.  An AI data center in Sheboygan will rely on Lake Michigan for water.  Large AI data centers can use five million gallons of water per day or 1.8 billion gallons per year.  Closed-loop water systems increase electricity demand, could place a higher strain on our local electrical grid, and still produce waste heat.

Few Local Jobs—

Data centers create very few jobs relative to the massive square footage they occupy once construction is done. 

Taxpayers left to foot the bill for exorbitant costs—

Even now, it is clear that the current frenzy in AI construction of enormous data centers cannot last.  Communities like ours will be left with sprawling, resource-hungry data centers that no longer serve their original purpose.  And taxpayers will be left holding the financial bag.  We cannot and will not be “Foxconned” again!

Unfair Tax Advantages—

Data centers coming into Wisconsin are being exempted from the sales and use taxes that are a big part of county and municipal budgets.  This is not fair to taxpayers or municipalities.

No Secrets--

Debates about AI data centers must be open to the public, not held behind closed doors!
 

Have even more of an impact--email Sheboygan alders to tell them that you want them to vote for a moratorium on AI data centers in Sheboygan! Or email all of them!

Here are the email addresses for the alders (copy and paste):

District 1: Ryan Menzer — ryan.menzer@sheboyganwi.gov
District 2: John Belanger — john.belanger@sheboyganwi.gov
District 3: Michael Close — michael.close@sheboyganwi.gov
District 4: Alanza Grawien — alanza.grawien@sheboyganwi.gov
District 5: Susie Boorse — susann.boorse@sheboyganwi.gov
District 6: Dean Dekker — dean.dekker@sheboyganwi.gov
District 7: Grazia Perrella — grazia.perrella@sheboyganwi.gov
District 8: Zach Rust — zach.rust@sheboyganwi.gov
District 9: Trey Mitchell — trey.mitchell@sheboyganwi.gov
District 10: Joe Heidemann — joe.heidemann@sheboyganwi.gov

• Authorized by Sheboygan Co. Democratic Party