In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Eau Claire, La Crosse and Stevens Point, incumbent Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden has taken a clear stand to protect families from rising utility bills tied to data‑center projects. Van Orden voted with a bipartisan majority (417‑3) for the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation that obligates data‑center companies to pay the entire cost of any energy‑generation, transmission, or distribution upgrades needed to serve their facilities.
Why the vote matters for local families
“Wisconsin families shouldn’t be stuck paying higher utility bills to subsidize massive energy demands, including from data centers,” Van Orden said in a statement after the vote. “If a company needs massive amounts of power, Wisconsin families shouldn’t be left holding the bill. This legislation makes sure those costs are borne by the companies driving that demand, not hardworking families.”
The bill aligns with the administration’s broader effort to ensure that private enterprises, especially those with high energy footprints, do not shift costs onto taxpayers. By requiring data‑center operators to fund the necessary upgrades, the legislation aims to keep electricity rates stable for residential customers and small businesses across the district.
Campaign rhetoric and the data‑center debate
During the campaign, Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke aired a commercial accusing Van Orden of “selling out taxpayers” on data‑center regulations. The ad referenced a provision from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that once included a ten‑year moratorium on enforcing state and local laws that limit or regulate artificial‑intelligence models and systems. The provision was ultimately removed by the Senate before the final bill passed.
Cooke’s communications team declined to comment on the ad or her ties to two groups that advocate for data‑center development in Wisconsin. Those groups are the Democratic‑leaning think tank Third Way, where Cooke reportedly received $30,000 as a senior visiting fellow, and the Wisconsin Technology Council, where she served on the board.
Public sentiment on data‑center expansion
A recent Center Square Voters’ Voice poll found that 68% of respondents believe communities should be able to limit data‑center projects if they strain local resources, while 22% say the economic and technological benefits justify the trade‑offs. The poll reflects growing concern among Wisconsinites about the potential impact of large‑scale data‑center facilities on energy costs and farmland.
Third Way has promoted policies that encourage data‑center construction on federal lands, and the Wisconsin Technology Council has advocated for tax‑increment districts that provide tax breaks for data‑center projects, including proposals for large facilities from Microsoft in Mount Pleasant and Meta in Beaver Dam.
Van Orden’s local‑control stance
Van Orden has repeatedly emphasized that local communities should have the final say on whether data‑center projects proceed in their area. He also warned that productive farmland should not be sacrificed for such developments, underscoring a commitment to preserving Wisconsin’s agricultural heritage while safeguarding energy affordability.
As the race heads toward the November ballot, the data‑center issue is likely to remain a focal point for voters who prioritize both economic growth and the protection of family budgets. Van Orden’s vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act provides a concrete example of his effort to keep energy costs in the hands of those who create the demand, rather than the families who pay the bills.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
