Wisconsin has cleared a major hurdle for its energy future — and for the massive data centers moving in.

A new bipartisan law, signed by Gov. Tony Evers on July 3, directs the state’s Public Service Commission to create a siting study that will pre-approve locations for building new nuclear reactors.

“Gov. Evers believes now is the time to achieve the state’s vision for a clean energy economy,” his office said. Evers has already allocated $1 million in the state budget for a nuclear feasibility study — part of a broader push to strengthen Wisconsin’s energy mix as the state braces for rising demand.

Rep. David Steffen, a Republican and the bill’s lead author, says nuclear is the “fastest way to generate the most amount of power with the least amount of impact on the community.”

Until 2016, Wisconsin had a decades-old moratorium on new reactors, tied to the lack of a federal plan for managing nuclear waste. That plan still doesn’t exist — but mounting energy needs are tipping the scales.

Marty Czyzewski, who lives near Corduroy and Wynn Road in Oregon, Ohio — where new data centers are planned — recently agreed to sell his home as the city clears land for a facility expected to draw massive power. “We didn’t want to have to look at our backyard and see a data center, hear all the cooling fans,” Czyzewski said.

The state’s first data center near Port Washington is projected to consume as much energy as Los Angeles, highlighting just how much power demand is surging.

“This is about being prepared,” said Rep. Lisa Subeck, a Democrat. “How do we increase our mix and potentially tap into federal funds that will help us do that?”

Some, however, question Wisconsin’s push for nuclear. Erik Kanter of Clean Wisconsin argues the state should invest more in renewables like wind and solar instead of subsidizing siting studies for nuclear. “We know that wind and solar are quite inexpensive and quite easy to build and implement right now,” Kanter said.

But federal policy shifts — including President Trump’s executive order to speed up Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals — and bipartisan support in Congress are giving nuclear energy a fresh boost.

Rep. Shae Sortwell, a Republican co-sponsor, said the siting study is crucial to clear roadblocks ahead of time. “All of this is to pave the way ahead of time so when a company comes in, they’re not turning into unexpected roadblocks,” he said.

For now, Wisconsin remains reliant on coal and gas for over 70% of its power. Nuclear supplies 15% — all from the Point Beach Nuclear Plant, which opened in 1970. Renewables make up only 8% of the state’s mix.

Oliver Schmitz, a nuclear engineering professor at UW-Madison, says the question is simple: “What is the next base load energy source?”

With billions of dollars and high-tech jobs at stake, Wisconsin’s leaders are betting that more nuclear power — and faster approval — will keep the lights on as its economy grows.

Data center boom

‍Wisconsin’s cool climate and low-cost land are attracting global tech giants. Microsoft’s $3.3 billion project outside Milwaukee and Meta’s expansions mean demand will only rise.

Federal influence

‍The Trump administration aims for 10 new reactors by 2030 — the first large U.S. buildout in decades.

What’s next

‍The PSC’s siting study will weigh environmental impact, community feedback, grid connections, and cooling water access.

Originally reported by Carrie Klein in Inside Climate News.