A hyperscale AI data center is planned for Kenosha, and here are a few reasons why more and more residents are speaking out against it:

1.        Increased utility bills – Microsoft claims they will pay their own way but worked with We Energies to try to pass along 25% of the cost of building new power plants onto residents. We Energies is already proposing a 14% increase to our electricity bills by 2028.

2.        Increased air pollution – Two methane power plants are proposed to be built in the surrounding area to provide the immense amount of power needed for AI data centers. The public service commission does not need to consider the cumulative effect of air pollution on residents from multiple sources, or from the air pollution that already exists in SE Wisconsin. Data centers also employ the use of diesel or methane powered backup generators.

3.        Water contamination – Even closed-loop cooling systems need to discharge wastewater. The permitting process will involve Microsoft coming to agreement with the city of Kenosha on the total concentration of their chemicals that they will release into Lake Michigan. Data center chemicals include: PFAS, ethylene glycol, nitrites, molybdates, borates, azoles, phosphates and polymers. These chemicals will inevitably end up in your tap water. When the mayor claims there is a robust process to protect residents, this is the process – to make sure there is a limit to the amount of toxic chemicals added to our water, not to guarantee no toxic chemicals are added.

4.        Noise, light, and heat pollution – Data centers are notorious for their continuous 24/7 hum that impact sleep, heart health, cause headaches and more. Light pollution from constant security lighting can disrupt sleep and is linked to breast cancer and negative effects on mental and cardiovascular health. The heat from data centers can travel up to 6 miles. Mt. Pleasant residents have already experienced the detrimental effects of noise pollution from that data center.

5.        Transparency – The city of Kenosha signed an NDA in 2024 and has shared very little information about the project and ongoing discussions with Microsoft.

6.        Short-sightedness – Approving this data center would prioritize short-term construction jobs and tax benefits over the long-term impacts to the health of residents and the environment. There are no water or environmental impact studies that have been done, and none are planned!

7.        City use of AI – Kenosha Police department utilizes AI surveillance cameras throughout the city. The KPD also uses AI audio recordings to generate first drafts of police reports.