Houston developer responds to Wisconsin data center concerns

Cloverleaf Infrastructure addresses community pushback over electric bills, water usage, and transparency.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 12:51am

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A Houston-based real estate development company, Cloverleaf Infrastructure, has been exploring northeast Wisconsin as a potential location for data centers. However, the proposal has faced pushback from local residents who have raised concerns over electric bills, water usage, and transparency. Cloverleaf's Chief Development Officer, Aaron Bilyeu, has responded to these concerns, stating that data centers would pay for any necessary grid updates and that they do not want to burden utility ratepayers. Bilyeu also addressed concerns about water usage, stating that modern data centers no longer consume water for cooling. Transparency concerns were also raised, with residents feeling that the process was being kept secret. Bilyeu acknowledged that projects have been pulled back after local opposition and that Cloverleaf is seeking communities that are supportive of data center projects and understand the benefits they can bring.

Why it matters

The potential for data centers in northeast Wisconsin has sparked a debate within the community, with residents expressing concerns over the impact on their electric bills, water usage, and the overall transparency of the process. This highlights the need for open communication and collaboration between developers and local communities to ensure that the benefits of data centers are understood and any potential drawbacks are addressed.

The details

Cloverleaf Infrastructure, a Houston-based real estate development company, has been exploring northeast Wisconsin as a potential location for data centers. This has prompted pushback from community members, particularly in the village of Greenleaf, where residents expressed concerns over electric bills, water usage, and transparency. Cloverleaf's Chief Development Officer, Aaron Bilyeu, has responded to these concerns, stating that data centers would pay for any necessary grid updates and that they do not want to burden utility ratepayers. Bilyeu also addressed concerns about water usage, stating that modern data centers no longer consume water for cooling. Transparency concerns were also raised, with residents feeling that the process was being kept secret. Bilyeu acknowledged that projects have been pulled back after local opposition and that Cloverleaf is seeking communities that are supportive of data center projects and understand the benefits they can bring.

  • In January 2026, pushback from Greenleaf residents prompted Cloverleaf Infrastructure to stop considering the village for a data center project.
  • On February 12, 2026, Mishicot resident Susan Dirkman expressed concerns about energy costs at a meeting.

The players

Cloverleaf Infrastructure

A Houston-based real estate development company that works with businesses looking to build data centers.

Aaron Bilyeu

The Chief Development Officer of Cloverleaf Infrastructure.

Susan Dirkman

A Mishicot resident who expressed concerns about energy costs at a meeting on February 12, 2026.

Dave Vandervoort

A Greenleaf resident who expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the data center proposal process.

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What they’re saying

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The takeaway

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