Environmental Impact Analysis_Content Page_Port Washington Data Center

Port Washington Data Center Proposal

Vantage Data Centers (Vantage) is developing a data center campus in the city of Port Washington in Ozaukee County. The Lighthouse campus is being constructed on 672 acres of previously agricultural land, approximately 1 mile inland from Lake Michigan. Vantage owns a total of 1,644 acres. The construction of the data center campus requires DNR permits and approvals related to wetlands, stormwater, and air emissions. Additionally, the city of Port Washington is seeking sanitary sewer extensions and amendments. 

The DNR has conducted an environmental analysis of the Lighthouse project. The DNR is also cooperating with the Public Service Commission (PSC) in its review of the American Transmission Company's proposed Ozaukee County Distribution Interconnection Project, which involves the transmission of electricity to the data center campus. More information on that review is available on the PSC's E-Services Portal.

REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS

WETLAND PERMIT EXEMPTIONS

On Dec. 11, 2025, the DNR granted nonfederal wetland exemption determinations for wetlands located in project areas 1 & 2 and construction laydown area 3. 

STORM WATER PERMIT APPLICATIONS

On Dec. 11, 2025, the DNR conveyed stormwater permit coverage for construction activities in project areas 1 & 2 (including laydown area 4) and construction laydown areas 1, 2, and 3.

AIR PERMIT APPLICATIONS

On June 12, 2026, the DNR issued a minor source air pollution control construction permit (25-MIN-094) and initial operation permit (24618528A-F01) for 45 diesel-fired emergency generators. 

Between March 3 and April 14, 2026, the DNR held a public comment period on the draft air permits. This included a public hearing held on April 14, 2026. The comments received, DNR’s response to comments and permitting documents can be accessed from the link below.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

On Sept. 22, 2025, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) submitted a request for administrative approval of an amendment to SEWRPC's regional water quality management plan to extend the Port Washington Sewer Service Area to include the proposed data center campus.

The City of Port Washington has submitted the following:

  • On Sept. 25, 2025, plans & specifications for the construction of a water supply main to service the proposed data center campus.
  • On Sept. 25, 2025, plans & specifications for the construction of a sanitary sewer interceptor to service the proposed data center campus.
  • On Oct. 10, 2025, a request for coverage under the stormwater construction general permit.

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

The DNR conducted an environmental analysis as part of its review of Vantage's permit applications and plans. Under the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), state agencies are required to analyze, consider, and publicly disclose the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of certain agency actions.  

On Dec. 9, 2025, the DNR released an Environmental Analysis Summary on Vantage's Lighthouse project. On June 12, 2026, the DNR released a supplemental report, including information that had become available during the public comment period on the draft air permits.

On Dec. 11, 2025, the DNR issued a WEPA Compliance Determination.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

This webpage will be updated when new materials are available to ensure consistent and thorough disclosure of the DNR's environmental analysis, permitting and plan reviews.

Please use the DNR hearings and meetings calendar to stay aware of upcoming public notices and hearings.