CUB in the News

Stay informed with the latest news and updates about the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin. Explore recent articles, reports, and stories highlighting our work in advocating for fair and affordable utility rates across the state. Stay tuned as we continue to work toward making a positive impact for Wisconsin utility customers!

Electricity analysts raise concerns over proposed data center rate plan
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Francesca Pica | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel A new report warns that residential utility customers in Wisconsin could end up subsidizing the massive energy needs of incoming data centers. As utilities propose new infrastructure investments, concerns are growing that costs will be shifted onto households and small businesses instead of the corporations driving the demand.…

read more
Disputes over clean energy may doom Wisconsin data center bills
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Kari Lydersen | Canary Media Wisconsin lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that data centers shouldn’t drive up utility bills for families and small businesses. But a new bill has sparked debate over a provision that would limit access to off-site clean energy, potentially locking in more fossil fuel use. As this…

read more
As energy-hungry data centers loom, Wisconsin ratepayers owe $1 billion on shuttered power plants
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch and Paul Kiefer / Wisconsin Watch This investigation from Wisconsin Watch reveals that utility customers in Wisconsin still owe nearly $1 billion on coal plants that no longer generate electricity. As new energy demands from proposed data centers loom, the concern is clear: will households and small businesses once again be left…

read more
Data Centers Are Coming and Utility Customers Could Pay the Price
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Teri Barr | Civic Media Citizens Utility Board Executive Director Tom Content warns energy demands from AI-driven data centers could double electricity use in parts of Wisconsin and raises questions about transparency and who foots the bill Read the Article

read more
We Energies plans $5.5 billion in new energy projects as data center demand grows
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Francesca Pica | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel We Energies filed a flurry of applications to build more than $5.5 billion in new energy projects to meet Wisconsin’s rising energy demand, largely fueled by data center projects. Read the Article  

read more
$1.4B transmission line project proposed for Port Washington data center
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Evan Casey | Wisconsin Public Radio WPR reports that a $1.4 billion transmission line project is being proposed to serve a massive data center in Port Washington—one that could consume as much electricity as a mid-size city. CUB Executive Director Tom Content notes that the cost would be passed on to utility customers across…

read more
Data centers have sprung up across Wisconsin creating odd political fault lines | Opinion
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Kristin Brey | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Data centers may not spark the same emotions as abortion or taxes, and the policy positions won’t track neatly along red vs. blue lines, but they reveal a deeper debate. Read the Opinion Article

read more
AI Data Centers are sending power bills soaring
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Josh Saul, Leonardo Nicoletti, Demetrios Pogkas, Dina Bass, and Naureen Malik | Bloomberg As AI data centers rapidly expand across the country, they’re driving up electricity demand—and potentially prices—for everyone. This Bloomberg feature examines how utilities and regulators are struggling to keep up, with everyday customers at risk of subsidizing the infrastructure needed for…

read more
What are data centers? Wisconsin cities’ potential new neighbors, explained
870 450 Leah Steinberg

Mount Pleasant, Port Washington, Kenosha, Beaver Dam — in recent months, Wisconsin’s data center tally is growing. All four communities may one day host large, artificial intelligence-focused data centers for companies like Microsoft and Meta. Individual projects could occupy upwards of 1,000 acres and use energy loads equivalent to the entire city of Milwaukee. In…

read more
Data center construction is booming, and it could affect utility rates
870 450 Leah Steinberg

By: Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch This Wisconsin Watch article highlights how Wisconsin utilities and lawmakers are racing to attract data centers with tax breaks and discounted power rates. While tech companies promise investment and jobs, the real costs may land on regular utility customers. Experts warn that utilities could pass along the financial risk…

read more
  • 1
  • 2