When Vantage Data Centers, Oracle, and OpenAI announced plans to build a massive data center campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin, they promised renewable energy and clean technology. But environmental advocates say the full picture wasn't shared with the public—and now they're doing something about it.
Sierra Club Wisconsin and Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) have filed a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources for issuing permits without completing the thorough environmental review the law requires. The groups obtained emails through a public records request that reveal DNR staff initially told data center representatives that a detailed Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, would be needed. That's the comprehensive review that examines how a project might affect air, water, wildlife, and surrounding communities.
After data center representatives complained that an EIS would "kill the project," the DNR reversed course. It conducted a more limited review instead, and has never publicly explained why.
"This case is about transparency and accountability," said MEA attorney Michael Greif. "Wisconsinites have a right to know why the state changed course and why one of the largest development projects in Wisconsin history is moving forward without the level of environmental review and public input the law requires."
The project is enormous. The $15 billion development will span 672 acres and require 1.3 gigawatts of power in its first phase alone—that's enough electricity to power more than 500,000 homes. A recent Public Service Commission report found that this data center, along with two others, is projected to drive a 40 percent increase in statewide energy demand over the next six years, with most of that power coming from new natural gas plants.
While the project's website highlights renewable energy development, it makes little mention of new fossil fuel infrastructure, including the Foundry Ridge gas plant in Walworth County being built specifically to power the Port Washington facility.
Elizabeth Ward, Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter Director, said the project will transform the local landscape and significantly increase emissions at a time when climate scientists say reductions are urgent.
The groups submitted comments to the DNR urging a full EIS that would examine the direct, indirect, and combined impacts of multiple hyperscale data centers. When regulators didn't act, they turned to the courts.
"The EIS process exists for moments exactly like this," Greif said. "It requires government agencies to step back, examine the whole picture, and explain its decisions. Instead, regulators abandoned environmental review without ever telling the public why."
What's hopeful here: when powerful developers tried to skip important reviews, everyday citizens pushed back. Public records requests exposed what happened behind closed doors, and now the courts will examine whether Wisconsin residents deserve answers about projects reshaping their state.