PSC urged to rethink Alliant data center contract in Beaver Dam

Power Wisconsin Forward and community members want Alliant Energy to file a tariff, or rate structure, to protect residents from data center costs.

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission held a virtual hearing on Tuesday on Alliant Energy’s application for an Individual Contract Rate Agreement for a data center under construction in Beaver Dam, and PWF said it does not protect customers from data center costs as much as the tariff would. 

Alliant Energy’s data center energy demands are unknown. 

“Alliant’s proposal fails to meet the standard of protecting Wisconsin residents from harm, especially when it comes to rising energy bills,” Brittany Keyes, clean air policy manager at Healthy Climate Wisconsin, said in a statement. “Given the potential public health harms, lack of transparency and the short-sighted and inadequate design of the contract, we need to require a rate structure that will better protect Wisconsin ratepayers from the costs of data centers and can also better protect Wisconsin’s climate, supporting our clean energy goals.”

According to the statement, 93% of the comments at the public hearings called for the utility to file a comprehensive rate structure to guarantee transparency in cost allocation. 

“Utilities and tech companies insist these facilities will pay their own way, but those claims do not ensure customer protection, and they have nothing to do with minimizing environmental harms,” Amy Barrilleaux, communications director at Clean Wisconsin, said in a statement. “This contract puts too much risk on Alliant’s other customers: Wisconsin families and small businesses. And it prevents the PSC from being able to impose conditions that protect our environment.”

The public comment period for Alliant Energy’s Individual Contract Rate Agreement is open through March 3. Community members may submit comments at the link here.