AGP Executive Report

Data Center Guardrails in Wisconsin Governor Race: Wisconsin’s governor candidates Tom Tiffany and David Crowley are locked in a high-profile fight over AI data centers, with polls showing strong public concern that costs outweigh benefits and both sides promising “guardrails” while stopping short of a statewide moratorium. Local Power and Storm Impacts: Severe storms hit southeast Wisconsin Tuesday, triggering tornado warnings and leaving more than 40,000 We Energies customers without power, with crews working through fallen trees and damaged lines. Transmission Line Backlash: Southern Wisconsin landowners are raising concerns about the proposed 190-mile, 765-kV BECI transmission line, worried about impacts to farms and property as study areas are mapped. Wildlife Longevity: A new study suggests Great Lakes lake sturgeon may live far longer than previously thought—potentially over 400 years—based on research involving Wisconsin and Michigan DNRs. Water Utility Ownership Push: Superior City Council advanced a plan to move toward community ownership of water utilities, setting up a possible referendum and future rate-funded financing. Farm Tech Days and Smoke: Wisconsin Farm Technology Days wrapped up amid hot weather and wildfire smoke, with DNR air quality advisories affecting parts of the state during the July event. Lake Michigan/Line 5 Pipeline Permit: The U.S. Army Corps approved a permit for Line 5 work in Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, a procedural win for Enbridge that still faces state-level hurdles and tribal opposition. Weather Reset: Forecasters are calling for a quieter, drier stretch for southeast Wisconsin before more storm chances later this week.

Data Center Backlash: Oracle is dropping its Wisconsin lawsuit against regulators tied to data-center financial support requirements, as UW-System leaders also signal hopes to freeze tuition for two years—showing how big infrastructure and public costs are colliding in state policy. Local Governance: Oneida County approved a one-year moratorium on data centers to study zoning and growth impacts, citing electricity, water use, noise, and generator pollution. Wildlife Health: Wisconsin DNR confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in two wild deer in Washington County; the virus spreads via biting midges and isn’t a threat to humans. Public Health: A measles outbreak in southwest Wisconsin grew to 39 cases tied to the fast-moving spread, with coverage gaps highlighted by CDC data. Weather & Safety: NWS issued severe thunderstorm watches and warnings across parts of southeast Wisconsin, with hail and damaging winds possible. Conservation & Community: UW-Oshkosh native-plant advocates are pushing back against mowing that’s shrinking pollinator habitat, while Kohler-Andrae State Park plans Aug. 25-29 nature programs. Recycling & Stewardship: Wisconsin Senate members advanced AB911, setting up statewide battery collection and recycling funding through stewardship fees.

Clean Water Enforcement: Wisconsin Cheese Group was fined $237,500 and placed on one year of probation after pleading guilty to Clean Water Act violations at its Monticello plant, including untreated wastewater releases into the municipal sewer system on 19 days in 2022. Storm Watch (SE Wisconsin): Tuesday brings a low-severity severe weather setup (level 1/5) with the best chance for strong storms from about 3–10 p.m., mainly risking damaging winds, small hail, and heavy rain. Local Water & Wastewater: MMSD’s ad hoc committee recommended Jacobs Solutions over Veolia for the next 10-year, $700M wastewater operator contract starting in 2028, citing a lower bid and a more systematic approach. Urban Nature & Safety: Milwaukee County Parks is asking for input on replacing Washington Park Pool with a “Super Splash Pad,” aiming for a more sustainable, lower-maintenance option. Biodiversity Debate: UW-Oshkosh is facing pushback over native plant removals tied to campus landscaping plans, with critics warning it could hurt local biodiversity. Drought Pressure (Bayfield): Severe drought is stressing Bayfield orchards ahead of Apple Festival season, with growers worried trees may “take a year off” after stress. Energy Infrastructure Concerns: Residents in De Soto packed a town hall over the proposed Maribell 140-mile high-voltage power line, warning of major impacts to landowners and the Driftless landscape. Air Quality/Community Climate: Wittenberg-Birnamwood and other local updates aside, the week’s weather pattern keeps returning to showers and storms after a brief calmer stretch.

Northwoods Conservation: The Wisconsin DNR approved a nearly $1 million conservation easement to protect about 1,250 acres in Vilas County, funded by a federal Forest Legacy grant and remaining Knowles-Nelson Stewardship dollars. Wildlife Protection: The DNR is urging people to keep young wildlife wild by staying back and letting animals learn from their parents, and it’s also seeking volunteers and landowners to teach hunters of all experience levels. Deer Disease Watch: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) was confirmed in a dead white-tailed deer in Richfield, with reports of 80–100 dead deer in parts of southeastern Wisconsin. Water & Storm Recovery: Wisconsin residents affected by April northeastern storms have until the end of the month to apply for FEMA help or SBA disaster loans. Clean Water Accountability: Wisconsin Cheese Group was fined for a Clean Water Act violation, adding to ongoing enforcement pressure on polluters. Energy Reliability: PPL Electric says it’s ramping up reliability work ahead of major events, including inspections to reduce outages.

PFAS & Wastewater Upgrades: Peshtigo approved a $1.8M wastewater treatment project and is drafting a Wastewater PFAS Minimization Plan after DNR flagged PFAS results “slightly higher than the target rate,” with more sampling and testing planned over seven years. Battery Recycling Policy: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB911, directing DNR to fund a statewide battery collection and recycling program using stewardship fees, with multiple senators voting yes. Wildlife Conservation Tech: Researchers tested drone-dropped peanut-butter vaccine baits to help control sylvatic plague and protect prairie dogs—key to saving black-footed ferrets. Humane Livestock Handling: UW–River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute brought on-farm dairy training to McCarty Family Farms, using “Cattle Vision” goggles to help workers understand cattle behavior and improve facility design. Weather Watch: Southeast Wisconsin stays dry Monday, then faces a storm chance Tuesday with low severe risk.

Battery Recycling Push: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB911, directing DNR to fund a statewide battery collection and recycling program using stewardship fees. Wildlife Monitoring: DNR is asking Wisconsinites to help track deer and game birds through Operation Deer Watch and the Game Bird Survey. Weather Watch: After a foggy start, scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Tuesday evening, with drier, pleasant conditions midweek. Northern Lights: NOAA says auroras could be visible Sunday night in parts of Wisconsin and nearby northern states, with best viewing around late evening to after midnight. Climate-Smart Farming Tech: Humane Handling Institute training brought on-farm dairy education to Wisconsin, including AR “cattle vision” goggles to improve humane handling. Data Centers & Water/Power Debate: New reporting highlights how power needs and pollution concerns are colliding with local politics around Amazon data center expansion. Local Politics: A new poll shows Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley leading Tom Tiffany by four points in the governor’s race.

Data Centers & Pollution Fight: A new wave of scrutiny is hitting the “data centers are coming” push, with residents and lawmakers raising alarms about air and water pollution and the scale of new power demand. Wildlife Science & Funding: Wisconsin’s wildlife management debate is getting a boost from a major investment in science-based conservation, including a new wildlife professor role at UW-Stevens Point focused on black bear management. Battery Recycling Push: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB911, setting up funding for a statewide battery collection and recycling program through DNR-backed stewardship fees. Wolf Management Payments: Regulators approved steps to prorate wolf-attack payments amid a potential funding shortfall, shifting when farmers, hunters, and pet owners can expect compensation. Outdoor & Community Events: Wausau marked America’s 250th with a local history event, while Mosinee’s LogJam Fest celebrated logging heritage and hands-on skills. Weather Watch: Scattered showers are possible this weekend, with more reliable rain chances returning midweek.

Battery Recycling Push: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced AB911, directing DNR to fund a statewide battery collection and recycling program using stewardship fees. Wolf Management Funding: Wisconsin regulators approved steps to prorate wolf-attack payments for livestock and dogs amid a looming funding shortfall. Drought Watch: Western Wisconsin rainfall remains far below normal, with drought deepening and river levels dropping. Weather Outlook: Southern and southeast Wisconsin face spotty rain and storms this weekend, then a drier stretch before more storm chances midweek. Conservation & Habitat: Alliant Energy grants supported tree and prairie planting efforts with Ho-Chunk and Menominee projects. Wildlife & Safety: Wisconsin DNR data highlights high fatal ATV/UTV crash rates, underscoring ongoing outdoor safety concerns. Local Environment Tech: A Wisconsin farm training program used “cow’s-eye” augmented reality goggles to improve humane livestock handling. Community Outdoors: Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation’s Race for Open Space returns in October to fund land protection.

Clean Water Accountability: Wisconsin Cheese Group, LLC (Monroe) was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $237,500 fine for Clean Water Act violations tied to untreated wastewater discharges into a municipal sewer. Drought Impacts: North-central Wisconsin river levels are dropping as dry conditions persist, with some stretches left only inches deep; officials say reservoir releases are helping but flow goals are being adjusted. Lawn Guidance: UW-Madison Extension says to avoid mowing drought-stressed grass—if footprints stay visible for about 10 minutes, grass is under stress and mowing can speed browning. Animal Welfare & Heat: Chippewa Humane Association says it’s fixing two issues after a DATCP inspection, including veterinary care timeliness and temperature control in its main kennel building. Outdoor Safety: Wisconsin DNR reports the state leads the nation in fatal ATV/UTV crashes in 2026, with most victims not wearing seatbelts or helmets. Local Politics & Health: La Crosse voters will decide a November healthcare affordability action plan that would create a city committee to assess access and local policy options. Election Ops: Milwaukee Election Commission is reviewing a human error that delayed about 28,000 absentee ballots and plans procedure updates.

Clean Water Act Fallout: A federal judge ordered Wisconsin Cheese Group (Monroe) to pay about $237,500 and improve its Monticello plant after untreated wastewater disrupted the village sewer system for 19 days, with some discharges far above permit limits. Local Industry & Jobs: Durr CTS will permanently close its De Pere facility, affecting 75 workers, with layoffs starting Oct. 13. Energy + Data Centers: Wisconsin regulators face mounting criticism over proposed gas plants tied to data center electricity demand, with opponents warning about pollution, water strain, and health harms. Public Health & Waterways: In the Chicago area, researchers dubbed “Sewer Monster” work to curb West Nile virus by targeting mosquito larvae in storm sewers; similar Milwaukee results reportedly cut mosquito populations by about a third. Wildlife Health Watch: Portage County’s deer farm tested positive for chronic wasting disease, triggering quarantine and an epidemiological investigation. Weather & Drought: Forecasts point to possible showers and thunderstorms tonight into Saturday, while northeastern Wisconsin is bracing for a potential “super El Niño” pattern with warmer temps and mixed rainfall. Community Notes: Wausau’s free “All-Stars Under the Stars” concert returns Aug. 19 to benefit veterans, and several central Wisconsin pools/splash pads close this month.

Wolf Damage Funding: The Wisconsin DNR won approval to draft rules that would prorate and defer payments for wolf attacks on livestock and dogs until the end of June 2027, after rising depredation claims outpaced the Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau’s budget. Severe Weather & Flooding: A sixth straight day of powerful storms has battered the Midwest, with catastrophic flooding in Indiana and flash-flood threats stretching across parts of Illinois and Iowa, leaving hundreds displaced and many without power. Drought Watch: Michigan remains in drought, with 35% of land abnormally dry or worse, including the worst conditions in the western Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border. Great Lakes Wildlife: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will run a sea lamprey survey on Wisconsin’s Iron River from Aug. 25 to Sept. 2 to guide whether control measures are needed. Local Land & Water: Wisconsin’s Badger Lands—once the Badger Army Ammunition Plant—continues its complicated shift toward Ho-Chunk stewardship and ecological recovery. Community Climate Resilience: Wisconsin DNR is also recruiting volunteers to teach hunter education as instructor numbers decline. Data Center Debate: Bellevue approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center development, citing public health, land use, and environmental constraints. Wisconsin Weather: Milwaukee faces muggy, mostly cloudy conditions with patchy fog and only a small chance of storms near the border late Friday into Saturday.

Water Quality Alert: Wisconsin health officials issued a blue-green algae advisory for Lake Du Bay, urging people and pets to stay out because there’s no treatment and exposure can cause rash, nausea and other serious symptoms. Climate & Weather: AccuWeather says Wisconsin’s warm summer may linger into fall under a very strong El Niño, with above-average temperatures and mixed precipitation that could raise wildfire risk. Great Lakes Access: A Shorewood Lake Michigan shoreline access appeal moved forward after oral arguments in a case tied to public access at Atwater Beach; a written decision is due Sept. 4. Infrastructure & Environment: DOT says all I-39/90/94 traffic will shift Aug. 19 onto a new northbound Wisconsin River bridge, with southbound construction to follow and completion targeted for fall 2028. Livestock Welfare Tech: McCarty Family Farms hosted UW-River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute, including augmented-reality “Cattle Vision” goggles to improve humane handling and facility design. Public Health Policy: Wisconsin DHS criticized a Trump executive order recommending changes to childhood MMR vaccine scheduling, saying there’s no new science to justify altering protections.

Solar Power Potential: A draft climate plan says if Wausau built enough rooftop solar, it could generate more electricity in a year than the city used in 2025, with Google Project Sunroof estimating 446 MW of capacity from suitable roof space. Climate Risk & Weather: A new analysis warns “tornado alley” may keep shifting eastward, raising insurance risk as warmer, more-humid air reaches more populated areas. Battery Recycling Funding: Wisconsin Sen. Kelda Roys backed AB911, which appropriates money for a statewide battery collection and recycling program. Wildlife Conservation: Summit Metro Parks is helping a federally threatened Northern Monkshood survive, protecting one of the last wild habitat pockets in Wisconsin. Local Development & Industry: Jefferson approved Kikkoman’s Phase II expansion and V&V Supremo’s site plan, while Alliant Energy awarded grants to multiple Verona projects including environmental stewardship. Humane Livestock Training: McCarty Family Farms hosted UW–River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute, including hands-on training with AR “Cattle Vision” goggles to improve dairy handling.

Great Lakes Energy: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac, a step toward construction that still worries environmental groups about a potential rupture and spill risk. Solar Pushback: Barron County residents are questioning MN8 Energy’s proposed Sandhill Solar Project, saying it would sit on productive farmland and that they weren’t adequately informed. Battery Recycling Funding: Sen. Melissa Ratcliff voted Yes on AB911, which would fund a statewide battery collection and recycling program through DNR using stewardship fees. PFAS & Water Protections: Rep. Brienne Brown backed AB131, aiming to expand PFAS testing and mitigation grants for Wisconsin water systems and landfills. State Facilities & Resilience: Gov. Evers announced the State Building Commission approved about $374 million in projects, including upgrades tied to parks, UW facilities, and a fire response ranger station in Crandon. Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods expanded a Wisconsin salmonella recall for jalapeno products sold at Walmart. Livestock Handling Training: McCarty Family Farms hosted UW–River Falls’ Humane Handling Institute for on-farm dairy training, including AR “Cattle Vision” goggles to improve humane handling.

Severe Weather Watch: Southeast Wisconsin is in a warm, humid pattern with patchy fog and only a small chance of storms near the Illinois border, while another round of showers and thunderstorms is more likely later Thursday into the weekend. Historic Wildfire Reminder: The Peshtigo Fire of 1871—deadliest in U.S. history—shows how dry conditions and fast-moving flames can overwhelm Wisconsin communities. Night-Sky Safety: A partial solar eclipse is set for Wednesday, with most of Wisconsin seeing only a partial view and skywatchers urged to plan around timing. Light Pollution: An upcoming public program highlights how brighter nights can disrupt sleep and wildlife, and how “money” and neighbor conflict follow poorly planned lighting. Dairy & Farms: New training at McCarty Family Farms brings humane livestock handling education to Wisconsin’s dairy network, while short-stature corn is gaining attention as a forage option as corn silage production and hybrid availability shift. Data Centers Locally: Wisconsin Rapids is moving toward a data center moratorium after community pushback, adding to the state’s growing debate over power, water, and environmental impacts. Measles Alert: Health officials confirmed measles cases in Iowa and Lafayette counties, warning of possible additional exposures. Politics With Environmental Stakes: David Crowley won the Democratic governor primary over Francesca Hong, setting up a November matchup with Tom Tiffany—an election where data center siting and energy policy are already front and center.

Data Center Transparency: A State Affairs Insider panel says data center opposition is rising, and experts argue the path forward is more disclosure of power and water use, earlier community engagement, and stronger ratepayer protections. Energy & Tribes: Menominee leaders say a $21 million solar grant loss has stalled progress, but they’re still pushing toward energy sovereignty and exploring options like biochar. Wildlife Conservation: UW-Stevens Point will add a new Boone and Crockett Club-funded professor role focused on black bear management, with research partnerships tied to DNR. Public Health: Wisconsin DHS confirmed measles cases tied to Iowa and Lafayette counties, warning the highly contagious virus could spread before exposures are identified. Severe Weather: Forecasters expect scattered storms near the WI/IL border with patchy dense fog, then more rounds of thunderstorms later in the week. Agriculture: Farmland values remain resilient despite tighter margins, with 2026 benchmark data showing continued stability into 2027 cash rent talks. Policy & Elections: A VoteHub model suggests Republicans are gaining ground in the governor race as voters focus on taxes, schools, and crime.