At Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hearing on April 14, residents, advocates, and public health experts raised serious concerns about the air pollution impacts of a new data center campus in Port Washington. Midwest Environmental Advocates is actively engaged in that process to ensure the DNR fully evaluates the environmental impacts before issuing air quality permits for the massive facility.
A Project with Significant Air Pollution Impacts
The Port Washington data center campus would rely on dozens of diesel-fired backup generators—45 in total—to provide power during outages. While described as “backup” systems, these generators are capable of emitting significant amounts of pollution, including fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, which are linked to respiratory illness, heart disease, and ozone pollution.
At the hearing, MEA Legal Fellow Michael Greif testified on behalf of our client, Sierra Club Wisconsin. He emphasized that the scale of emissions raises serious red flags, noting that the project presents unresolved questions about energy use, climate impacts, air pollution, and public health.
These concerns are especially urgent in Ozaukee County, where existing ozone pollution already exceeds federal standards.
The Case for Full Environmental Review
As we explain in our written comments, state law requires that the DNR prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before it can approve a project of such magnitude and complexity:
- The $15 billion data center will use 1.3 gigawatts of energy, the equivalent of approximately 640,000 households (more than all the households in Milwaukee County).
- The data center itself will cover 672 acres, and its energy demand will spur the construction of high-voltage transmission lines that will spread over six counties.
- 45 industrial-sized diesel generators will have the capacity to emit over 2,407 pounds of nitrogen oxides per hour, an amount of pollution equivalent to adding over 5 million vehicle miles traveled to the community.
Gaps in the State’s Analysis
MEA’s comments also highlight flaws, inconsistencies and critical gaps in the DNR’s review. For example, the agency failed to conduct air dispersion modeling for certain harmful pollutants, stating that emissions from the generators would be intermittent.
But intermittent does not mean insignificant. When multiple generators operate simultaneously—even for short periods—the resulting pollution can be substantial and concentrated, with real consequences for nearby residents.
What Comes Next
The DNR will consider public comments and testimony before making a final decision on the air permits. That decision will have lasting implications—not just for Port Washington, but for how Wisconsin evaluates the environmental impacts of large-scale data center development going forward.
MEA will continue working alongside residents, partner organizations, and public health experts to hold decision-makers accountable and to ensure they prioritize the health of Wisconsin communities and our environment.
