• The rise of the digital economy and AI has increased the need for data centers, with 46 currently in Wisconsin and more planned.
• Data centers have drawn criticism for their significant water and energy consumption, with some using as much water as a small city.
• Many data center operators lack transparency, often signing non-disclosure agreements with local governments about their water usage.
• A proposed bill in Wisconsin aims to increase transparency by requiring data centers to report their water and energy use.

While a growing digital economy and use of artificial intelligence has increased the need for physical facilities to store, manage and process data, there is currently little to no regulation in place to mitigate environmental impacts and increase transparency for data processing centers in Wisconsin.

Data centers have drawn criticism from some community members over environmental concerns about sustainability because the facilities require an enormous amount of water and energy to operate. Fewer than one-third track water usage, and, often, data centers sign nondisclosure agreements with local governments on water use.

Midwest states like Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan have become a popular choice for housing data centers due to their close proximity to the Great Lakes, which are seen as an endless freshwater supply.

According to datacentermap.com, Wisconsin is currently home to 46 data processing centers, or data centers, with plans for more. The facilities are concentrated in southeastern Wisconsin, particularly in the Milwaukee area, which, for now, is home to 20 data centers.

Here’s your guide to data centers in Wisconsin.

Does Wisconsin have laws regulating data centers?

Currently, the only mention of data centers in state statute is for tax incentives, however, a newly proposed bill would create rules to fill a “legislative void” by increasing transparency surrounding massive data processing and storage facilities.

In a Nov. 6 memo, bill co-sponsor Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, said the legislation aims to hold data centers and the companies behind them accountable by requiring more transparency around water usage and energy consumption. Additionally, the bill would require increased renewable energy sources across the state, prioritize good-paying, local jobs and insulate ratepayers from the costs of these projects.

• Wisconsin volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield is optimistic about his four-person recruiting class, which is ranked second nationally.
• The class includes outside hitters Halle Thompson and Audrey Flanagan from the Houston and Los Angeles areas.
• Middle blockers Kymora Scott and Lynney Tarnow will come from the Chicago area and enroll early.

MADISON — Kelly Sheffield was at Luke Fickell’s house along with fellow Wisconsin head coaches Greg Gard and Mike Hastings when the longtime volleyball coach was awaiting some news from one of his 2026 recruits.

“The four of us were over there outside, and I said, ‘I’m expecting a phone call now. … If I get a FaceTime and a commitment, I’m going in the pool,’” Sheffield said.

Then came the call with good news from Audrey Flanagan, a highly-touted outside hitter from Redondo Beach, California. Flanagan delivered the good news with a regular phone call rather than a video call, which perhaps made it even better news for Sheffield.

“So I stayed dry,” Sheffield said. “But that was a cool moment. … When you’re getting a commitment, that feels as good as almost any win, and it’s really unusual to celebrate a commitment with other head coaches of other sports.”

Sheffield is drenched with optimism, though, about the four-person class that is ranked second nationally in PrepVolleyball.com’s rankings. The class consists of Flanagan and Halle Thompson at outside hitter and Lynney Tarnow and Kymora Scott at middle blocker.

“We’ve got four fantastic players, fantastic humans that will be joining our program,” Sheffield said. “Great competitors that all have very high ceilings, I believe.”

Here is what Sheffield said about each of his newest Badgers, along with their comments released via UW Athletics upon their signing:

Halle Thompson

Halle Thompson, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Spring, Texas, is “certainly one of the most dynamic attackers in the country,” Sheffield said.

“She was one of the starting outsides (for USA Volleyball’s U19 team) and can pass, is fearless,” Sheffield said. “Great serve. I don’t say that too many times about a high school kid, but she’s got a really, really nice serve. … She will tattoo balls from the back row. An elite back-row attacker for her age.”

Thompson, a highly-touted recruit in Texas on a highly-recruited club team, “kind of took us a little bit by surprise with her interest,” Sheffield said.

“Sometimes when you’re on the phone with people, it goes really, really well, and you just know you’re talking the same language,” Sheffield said. “And others, it’s almost like you’re talking with somebody that you’re pretty sure the words were English, but they’re not understanding me and I’m not understand them. Halle — we were speaking the same language right from the get-go.”

Thompson’s comments via UW Athletics: “The University of Wisconsin immediately felt like home from the moment I arrived on campus. After participating in a fun and exciting four-day camp and joining my future teammates in the program’s tradition of jumping into Lake Mendota, I knew Wisconsin was the perfect fit. The university’s balance of academic excellence, athletic intensity and vibrant community reflects everything I value. I’m thrilled to represent the Badgers and to grow both on the court and in the classroom, surrounded by coaches, teammates and peers who share the same drive and passion — proud to be a Badger!”

Audrey Flanagan

Audrey Flanagan, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter from Redonda Beach, California, went to the same high school as current UW setter Charlie Fuerbringer.

“Tall, six-rotation player,” Sheffield said. “Can get into angles that very few people can get to with her age. … I think she can be an elite blocker as well. Her contact point is just different than most people. Her ability to hit high and to get into angles — just a very, very smooth athlete.”

Flanagan at one point had a knee injury, but Sheffield said her approach to rehab “was done really well.”

“It was a great rehab,” Sheffield said. “We’re getting a great, great player. We’re getting a healthy player and one that’s going to have a huge impact for us.”

Flanagan and Thompson are “two of the top outsides in this class, dynamic six-rotation players,” Sheffield said. They were on the same U19 team for USA Volleyball. Flanagan will join the Badgers in May after the end of the club season rather than early-enrolling.

Flanagan’s comments via UW Athletics: “I chose Wisconsin because the moment I stepped on campus, it just felt like home. The people, the energy and the team culture were everything I was looking for. It’s a place where everyone pushes each other to get better and where the love for the game is unmatched. I can’t wait to play at the Field House and experience how special it is to be a Badger!!”

Kymora Scott

Kymora Scott, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Flossmoor, Illinois, was a little more under the radar before she caught the UW staff’s attention at the convention center in Indianapolis.

“I was on one end of the convention center,” Sheffield said, guessing it might have been court No. 96. “And I get a text from Gary (White). ‘I need you on court 1.’ And I wrote back to him. I said, ‘Are you effing with me right now?’ That was a 25-minute walk through the crowds to get over there. He says, ‘I really need you over here.’”