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.

First, it is telling that Microsoft is promising increased transparency now. Microsoft’s statements can only be viewed as a response to growing opposition from communities rightfully concerned about how massive data center projects will affect water resources, energy systems, land use, and local decision-making—concerns that, too often, have been met with silence, secrecy and vague assurances.

Transparency cannot depend on a company’s goodwill or public relations strategy. Rather, transparency is foundational to democratic decision-making and community trust, especially for projects with environmental impacts as significant as large-scale data centers. These facilities will place enormous demands on our water supplies, electricity grids, and local infrastructure. Communities have a right to full, timely, and meaningful information before decisions are made—not after deals are signed behind closed doors.

Big Tech’s recent interest in building data centers in Wisconsin has involved the use of anonymous LLCs, non-disclosure agreements, and claims of trade secrecy that prevent local residents from understanding what is being proposed until it is too late to meaningfully influence the outcome. That kind of secrecy erodes public trust and undermines our democracy—and it must be rejected by both developers and local officials.

Microsoft’s recent pledge is an acknowledgement that the status quo is not working, and it is a sign that public pressure is having an impact. The next step is ensuring that public pressure leads to real accountability—not just voluntary promises.

Meaningful transparency depends on effective regulatory oversight and enforcement. It requires clear opportunities for public engagement, along with enforceable disclosure requirements so communities know who is behind a project, what resources it will consume, and what environmental risks it poses.

Midwest Environmental Advocates has been working to address these gaps through legal action and policy advocacy, while also equipping local advocates with the tools and resources they need to understand and evaluate data center proposals. We will continue standing with local advocates and pushing for a system that prioritizes democratic participation, environmental protection, and accountability because we believe transparency is not optional—it is the right of every Wisconsinite.