We Energies has proposed a special electric rate aimed at data centers including the Microsoft center under construction in Mount Pleasant and a proposed facility in Port Washington.

The rate is meant to ensure that other ratepayers are not saddled with costs associated with building power plants and electric infrastructure necessary for power-hungry data centers, according to the state's largest utility.

The rate could apply to other very large industrial We Energies customers in Wisconsin, although it was essentially written for data centers which are in a league of their own when it comes to power consumption.

Data centers house thousands of computers, in one or more buildings, linked to the outside world by fiber optic cables. They enable most everyday online activities, including social media, streaming video, banking, ChatGPT and much more.