The Public Service Commission (PSC) has ordered ATC, the energy company responsible for power line construction for Port Washington's AI data center, to restart its application process. This decision is seen as a significant setback for the project, which faced substantial public opposition, including over 2,500 comments expressing concerns about the necessity and safety of the project. The PSC's Chairperson described the original application as problematic and stated that revoking the previous decision was necessary for the process to continue. ATC expressed disappointment over the ruling, which complicates the timeline for construction.

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Port Washington's data center power line construction dealt a major blow

The Public Service Commission determined that the energy company in charge will need to start over its application process

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Updated: 6:04 PM CDT Aug 6, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Hannah Hilyard

Reporter

Port Washington's data center power line construction dealt a major blow

The Public Service Commission determined that the energy company in charge will need to start over its application process

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Updated: 6:04 PM CDT Aug 6, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Hannah Hilyard

Reporter

OZAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. —

Power line construction for Port Washington's massive AI data center was dealt a major blow Thursday.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) ruled that ATC, the energy company in charge, must start its application process over.

Members of the Responsible Energy Alliance celebrated the decision after attending the PSC meeting in Madison.

"I'm just so grateful. I'm so grateful to them that they made this decision," Pastor Patti Plough said.

The process dates back to December when the Public Service Commission determined ATC's application to construct power lines for the data center was complete. Thursday, the commission made the rare move to revoke that decision, forcing the energy company to go back to the beginning.

PSC Chairperson Summer Strand described the application as "clearly underwater, nearly underwater, and this action, revoking the completeness determination, is akin to tossing it a life preserver."

The decision followed significant public opposition, with more than 2,500 people submitting comments, many expressing concerns about the data center project. Comments included statements such as "AI is a bubble, and it will pop," "No one wants this," and "This is a terrible idea."

Some residents directly affected by the proposed power line routes shared their concerns. "It would literally condemn our house and condemn my husband's business, and he's in his 29th year of affordable tree service," Trish Binkowski, of Fredonia, told WISN 12 News Thursday.

ATC responded to the decision, saying it is "disappointed with today's Commission's decision and is considering its options. We recognize there is significant public interest in this project and appreciate the time people have taken to participate in the PSCW process and share their perspectives."

The PSC said that the decision is not an overall rejection of the project but rather a reset. However, the impact on the construction timeline for both the power lines and the Port Washington data center remains unclear.

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Port Washington's data center power line construction dealt a major blow

Port Washington's data center power line construction dealt a major blow

The Public Service Commission determined that the energy company in charge will need to start over its application process

The Public Service Commission determined that the energy company in charge will need to start over its application process

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