No, I’m certainly not going to dip my toe into the political waters of every hot topic dominating state and national conversations right now. But as someone who pays attention to what’s happening, it’s clear a few themes are already shaping the discourse for the 2026 midterm elections.
Affordability and accountability are in the driver’s seat right now as far as what’s on the minds of voters. We are seeing this in discussions about housing, taxes, groceries, law enforcement, education, protests, insurance, health care, elections, judicial decisions, and the entire political system. Since I’m all for staying in my lane, I’ll stick to the topic of energy.
Energy costs—and what you see reflected on your monthly electricity bill—are hardly new political talking points. Prices at the pump or the cost to cool and heat your home have influenced campaign messaging for decades. You may recall that in my Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News column last September, I shared that the state legislature took a meaningful step on affordability by fully repealing the 5% state sales tax on residential electricity and natural gas. That repeal took effect on October 1, 2025. What began as a 6-month tax reprieve is now permanent, saving home energy users an estimated $178 million over the next two years.
That’s real money staying in your pocket. And with a projected $2.5 billion budget surplus, legislators and Governor Evers are now exploring other ways to return some additional dollars back to you. It’s finding the agreement on how that might get done and what it looks like; that’s always the tricky part. Whatever compromise emerges, you can expect the messaging to center on those same two themes: accountability to taxpayers and making Wisconsin more affordable for you and your family.
Data centers have now entered that same conversation. Republicans and Democrats in the State Capitol have introduced competing legislation to regulate large, hyperscale data centers—Assembly Bill 840/Senate Bill 843 from the Republicans, and Assembly Bill 722/Senate Bill 729 from Democrats. Both sides agree on two fundamentals: consumers shouldn’t pay for the construction or maintenance of these massive facilities, and electric rates must remain in check. Beyond that, consensus quickly fades. Environmental protections, labor standards, renewable energy requirements, tax credits, and permitting processes all become points of contention.
What is driving all this attention? A simple truth: we need more energy—now and for the foreseeable future. After years of relatively flat demand, data centers and artificial intelligence have triggered an energy renaissance unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. Our appetite for energy is accelerating interest in advanced nuclear technologies, expanding solar and wind as intermittent resources, and cementing natural gas as the dominant, always-available fuel as coal declines. It’s also exposing the vulnerability and limitations of an aging electric grid, prompting a nationwide push for major transmission line upgrades.
But the growth of data centers isn’t without controversy. Communities across Wisconsin are wrestling with the implications. The state currently has just over 40 data center facilities, most of them small—under 50 megawatts—and generally uncontroversial. The hyperscale facilities, ranging from 100 megawatts to well over a gigawatt, are the ones drawing scrutiny and inspiring regulatory action.
Even if Republicans manage to pass a bill that aligns with their priorities, Governor Evers has already signaled he has no plans to sign it into law. That means the debate is likely to continue well into campaign season, with both sides framing their positions around—you guessed it—affordability and accountability.
As the legislative session winds down and campaign season ramps up, expect to hear a lot about holding industries accountable and making life more affordable for everyday Wisconsinites. What those promises ultimately translate into is anyone’s guess. But if the result is that you keep a little more of your hard‑earned money, that’s a conversation worth having.