Hundreds pack Port Washington data center meeting as panelists raise concerns over health, fiscal, and environmental impacts
PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Several hundred people gathered in Port Washington Wednesday night, Feb. 11, to learn more about data centers and the impacts the projects have on the environment and communities.
Some are still trying to block data centers in their communities; others already lost that fight.
It was billed as an informational meeting, but the panelists and most in attendance were strongly against these projects.
Cheryl Nenn, with Milwaukee Riverkeeper, told us, “I think a lot of people are very concerned and feeling like there’s not a whole lot they can do.”
Roughly 300 people packed the hotel banquet room to hear about data centers. Most live in or near Port and are now trying to live with a massive project they tried to stop.
Matt Rismeyer’s Saukville home could be impacted by a plan to build power lines for the data center. He told the crowd, “If it’s selected, my home will lose a third of its value.”
One of the panelists was Prescott Balch, who was a software development executive for several decades. He told us, “The message really is: don’t take your eye off the ball. Watch what they’re doing, particularly on the financial side.”
Other panelists talked about health concerns, like healthcare professional Paula Procter, who asked, “Where are the health impact studies?”
There are also continuing concerns about the environmental impact. Nenn said, “I think that there’s a lot we can still do to ensure these projects are protecting natural resources and also the community.”
And others are concerned about a lack of regulation and communication.
Dan Eastman is a former Tommy Thompson appointee on the state’s Public Service Commission. He said, “The time to start asking these questions is not after the permits are let and the deals are cut. It should have been a public discussion.”
Even though most of the crowd opposed data centers, union members in favor of construction projects were applauded for their work.
But concern was the theme throughout.
Nenn said, “There’s a lot of questions. People have a lot of questions and most of them are valid.”
Right now, the data center site is a hive of activity, where an endless line of trucks moves the earth 24/7.