Port Washington Data Center Developers Seek to Shift Financial Risks to Residents
When the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved new protections for Wisconsin ratepayers in April, it sent a clear message that ordinary Wisconsinites should not be responsible for the financial risks created by data center deals negotiated behind closed doors by utility companies and the world’s biggest tech companies. Now, some of those companies are asking regulators to backtrack.
Earth Day’s Wisconsin Roots: From Grassroots Action to Lasting Legal Change
Earth Day’s origins in Wisconsin are more than a point of pride—they’re a powerful reminder that civic engagement can shape and strengthen our laws. In this commentary, MEA Executive Director Tony Wilkin Gibart reflects on how the movement sparked by leaders like Gaylord Nelson continues to influence the legal system today, and why Wisconsinites have a vital role to play in carrying that legacy forward.
Data Center Transparency Is a Right—Not a Public Relations Strategy
Last week, Microsoft publicly acknowledged growing concerns about transparency and community engagement in data center development. The increased attention to transparency and public engagement is welcome news. But it is critical to be clear about what transparency actually means—and what it requires.
Leveling the Playing Field: How Strong Environmental Protections Benefit Family Farms
Recent court victories show that legal action can not only protect our environment—it can help create a system where doing the right thing doesn’t put family farmers at a disadvantage.
Sturgeon Bay’s Waterfront: Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future
Half a decade after MEA’s successful defense of public waterfront access in Sturgeon Bay, the restoration of a historic granary on a site once slated for commercial redevelopment is a testament to the community’s vision and determination.
Trump Promises Action on PFAS, But Actions Speak Louder than Words
In this commentary, MEA Executive Director Tony Wilkin explains what impact the Trump EPA’s actions will—and won’t—have on our ability to address PFAS here in Wisconsin and why Republicans in the Legislature should think twice about standing in the way of progress.