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Wisconsin Stance on Science

@wistanceonscience.bsky.social

Wisconsin team for the Stance on Science initiative organized by @snapcoalition.org. We aim to provide voters with clear, accessible information on how their political candidates will use science in their policy decisions. wi.stanceonscience@gmail.com

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Before the Wisconsin primaries tomorrow, check out our website to see what candidates for State Senate and Assembly think of various science policy issues! snapcoalition.org/initiatives/...

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

We will be continuing to post candidate answers to our website as we receive them, so stay tuned for future updates! (9/9)

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Here's what Mark Scheffler (District 8) has to say! KEYWORDS: climate change, renewable energy, clean water @mark4congress.bsky.social (8/9)

Mark Scheffler, District 8

"Mark supports the development of artificial intelligence engines but only with iron-clad regulations to protect human wellbeing, jobs, data privacy, and of course environmental protections. He's proposing a 1-year moratorium on all new AI data center construction to give policymakers time to develop a regulatory framework to ensure that this powerful technology benefits humanity, is ecologically friendly, and can be powered entirely by 24/7 renewable energy created right here in America. He also supports strong water quality protections and the use of closed-loop geothermal cooling systems."

KEYWORDS: climate change, renewable energy, clean water

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Here's what Amanda Bell (District 6) has to say! KEYWORDS: Environment, transparency, consent @amandabellcongress.bsky.social (7/9)

Amanda Bell, District 6

"I support strong oversight of data center development and the AI industry, which up to now has had a blank check to do whatever it wants. These facilities use huge amounts of water and power, often without honest answers about where that water comes from or goes. As a scientist who spent 24 years researching rivers and lakes, I have a unique perspective on how industrial discharge and water use can cause serious environmental harm. I’ve worked with community groups in Wisconsin and Minnesota reviewing water use and cooling system disclosures, and found discrepancies in water use figures and unauthorized groundwater withdrawals before facilities are even operational.

AI’s impact on our economy, jobs, and privacy raises concern. Elon Musk is suing Minnesota because his AI platform has been used to turn photos into sexually explicit images, including of children, which a new state law would ban. Musicians, writers, journalists, and artists are having their work stolen to create AI generated art, music, and films without credit. We haven’t had federal electronic privacy regulation since the 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act, which made it illegal to share what movies people rented. We need to update federal privacy law for this millennium."

KEYWORDS: Environment, transparency, consent

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Here's what Rustin Provance (District 3) has to say! (6/9)

Rustin Provance, District 3

"I am against the data centers. Without real solid laws regarding A.I. inplace, we shouldn't be moving forward with anything. What limitations do corporations really have with A.I now or oversight ?"

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Here's what Emily Berge (District 3) has to say! KEYWORDS: Protect our people @bergeforcongress.com (5/9)

Emily Berge, District 3

"I support a meaningful moratorium on data centers so that local, state, and federal regulations may be implemented: regular folks must not see their rates increase, we must protect our natural resources and the peace of our communities, and these developments must use renewable energies to generate most of their energy needs. We also need to address the demand side of this equation and place human protections on the use of AI. As a mental health provider, I have seen the harmful effects of generative AI, particularly on our youth. Whether it be the shortcutting of our education system or unauthorized use of our personal images, AI must be regulated.

One of the reasons I support a moratorium on data centers and guardrails on the use of AI is that we do not have enough evidence yet on all of the potential harm that these structures and systems might have. As the only candidate with local elected experience, I value deeply the input from our local communities and believe that we have to give our communities a say in these massive developments."

KEYWORDS: Protect our people

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Here's what Douglas Alexander (District 2) has to say! KEYWORDS: mistakes, scientific process, asbestos (4/9)

Douglas Alexander, District 2

"Approaching such issues I have a calm confidence that this can all be done successfully and appropriately. However, I myself don’t have the time to study all the details myself. My intuition and life experience lead me to believe it will take time for us as a society to work out the best approaches.

There will be mistakes along the way. In some instances, actors will rush in and go too fast, and make mistakes. Hopefully we will all learn from those mistakes. It’s important the press, and those involved, are willing to recognize mistakes, and share with us so we all learn from them.

In other situations delays caused by the public, etc. may prove costly, and once the Data Center is up and running, they will look back and wish they have done so 18-24 months sooner. That lost efficiency is costly, but it’s all part of the scientific process.

Ideally we all--owners, users, local communities--sincerely try to get it right. People innocently created asbestos, and many innocent people paid the price with their health and lives; we all now pay the price financially. Let’s all seek to avoid similar innocent mistakes in this new era of AI and large data centers."

KEYWORDS: mistakes, scientific progress, asbestos

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

...controversial for their resource use (such as water and land) and raising utility costs. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI? What sources of evidence informed these positions? (3/9)

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

We asked candidates: America has a growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry, supporting cutting edge innovation and reshaping businesses, but raising concerns about education, ownership, and security. Application of AI technology has increased the demand placed on data centers... (2/9)

AI in Wisconsin.

We asked U.S. House of Representatives candidates across WI: America has a growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry, supporting cutting edge innovation and reshaping businesses, but raising concerns about education, ownership, and security. Application of AI technology has increased the demand placed on data centers, controversial for their resource use (such as water and land) and raising utility costs. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI? What sources of evidence informed these positions?

Note that while all candidates received the questionnaire, only the following completed it.

See all questions and responses here: snapcoalition.org/initiatives/stance-on-science/states/wi

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Curious what candidates for the US House of Representatives think of AI in Wisconsin? Read this thread to learn more, and view all questions and answers here: snapcoalition.org/initiatives/... (1/9) #scipol #Wisconsin

snapcoalition.org

Wisconsin Stance on Science - Scientist Network for Advancing Policy

SNAP Coalition Website

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Wisconsin Stance on Science @wistanceonscience.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Before the Wisconsin primary elections next week, check out our website to see what US House of Representatives candidates think about science policy issues! #sciopol #elections #Wisconsin snapcoalition.org/initiatives/...

We asked WI candidates for the House of Representatives:
1. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI?
2. Please describe policies you would support, that relate to workforce development in Wisconsin’s strengths.
3. What policies would you support to improve K-12 education for students across Wisconsin?
4. In what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
5. What policies would you support to promote continued funding for scientific research?
And they answered! See full questions and responses at:
snapcoalition.org/initiatives/stance-on-science/states/wi

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Reposted by Wisconsin Stance on Science

Stance on Science PA @stancepa.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

What is #Stance2026? Stance on Science is an effort by #EarlyCareerResearchers to bring #SciencePolicy into the conversation between voters and candidates for public office for the #MidtermElections2026 Follow us to hear what candidates have to say! #science #politics #PA #Pennsylvania

A flyer describing the purposes of Stance on Science

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