Spotlight Stories Archives - Center for Water Policy /centerforwaterpolicy/category/spotlight-stories/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:36:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Professor Scanlan Appears in E&E NewsArticle on AI-Data Centers /centerforwaterpolicy/professor-scanlan-appears-in-ee-news-article-on-ai-data-centers/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:36:06 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3497 Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlancontributed to anE&E Newsپexaminingthe water and sewer infrastructure needs ofAI-data centersand howconsumers feelthe cost of expanding that infrastructure.“There is a real need to understand the impact on …

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]]> Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlancontributed to anE&E Newsپexaminingthe water and sewer infrastructure needs ofAI-data centersand howconsumers feelthe cost of expanding that infrastructure.“There is a real need to understand the impact on water rates and make sure households aren’t footing the bill,”said Professor Scanlan.

Read theE&E Newsپ:

Want to learn more about the impacts of AI-data centers? Check out our Legislative Model to Promote Transparency and Environmental Protections 

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]]> New Short Video:Get InvolvedWithTheFreshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network! /centerforwaterpolicy/new-short-video-get-involved-with-the-freshwater-collaborative-water-policy-network/ Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:29:28 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3439 Looking to connect your water research with real-world decision-making? Check out our new video explainer of the Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network! Discover how the Center for Water Policy facilitates the Network, connects experts across the UW System through our searchable directory, hosts cutting-edge research webinars, and bridges the gap between science and policy by …

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]]> Looking to connect your water research with real-world decision-making? Check out our new video explainer of the Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network! Discover how the Center for Water Policy facilitates the Network, connects experts across the UW System through our searchable directory, hosts cutting-edge research webinars, and bridges the gap between science and policy by attending partner events like Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin’s annual FresH20 partner event.  

Learn more about the Network and search our expert directory here: /centerforwaterpolicy/programs/uw-water-policy-network/ 

If you’re interested in joining the Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network, please complete this . 

Learn more about the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin here:  
 

Click below to watch thisnew short video by Cami Armendariz, our 2024-2026 Water Policy and Science Communications Fellow!

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]]> Center for Water Policy releases “AI-Data Centers: Legislative Model to Promote Transparency and Environmental Protections” /centerforwaterpolicy/center-for-water-policy-releases-ai-data-centers-legislative-model-to-promote-transparency-and-environmental-protections/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:06:47 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3385 AI-data centers are rapidly proliferating across the United States. These facilities promise technological and economic benefits but have associated steep increases in electricity and water use that can strain local resources and infrastructure. Communities are reporting growing concerns over water scarcity, higher utility …

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]]> AI-data centers are rapidly proliferating across the United States. These facilities promise technological and economic benefits but have associated steep increases in electricity and water use that can strain local resources and infrastructure. Communities are reporting growing concerns over water scarcity, higher utility rates, pollution, and stability of local power grids. Despite sustainability pledges from major tech companies, energy and cooling needs from AI-data centers continue an unchecked rise, and state incentives have often encouraged development without requiring adequate transparency and environmental protections. With no uniform federal framework and significant impacts emerging, lawmakers in many states are beginning to propose policies that strengthen disclosure, assess cumulative impacts, and establish efficiency and public engagement requirements. In our legislative framework, we articulate policy goals and offer options for comprehensive legislative responses. The model includes draft legislative language that can be customized by states and local governments to suit their needs. 

See a PDF version of our legislative model, also available below, or a version of the model.  

Citation: 

Emilie Washer, Tressie Kamp and Melissa Scanlan, AI-Data Centers: Legislative Model to Promote Transparency and Environmental Protections, Legislative Model, Center for Water Policy (2026).

Legislative Model for Data Centers 2026Download

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]]> Melissa ScanlanFeatured onMilwaukee Journal Sentinel Panel onData Centers /centerforwaterpolicy/melissa-scanlan-featured-on-milwaukee-journal-sentinel-panel-on-data-centers/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:09:08 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3370 Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlan was a featured expert on the Milwaukee Journal’s Town Hall panel on water use by AI-data centers. Professor Scanlan highlighted that water demands include the water used to create electricity for the data centers …

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]]> Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlan was a featured expert on the Milwaukee Journal’s Town Hall panel on water use by AI-data centers. Professor Scanlan highlighted that water demands include the water used to create electricity for the data centers and water used to cool them. She also emphasized the level of governance needed is at the scale where impacts are seen (state and regional).   

 about the panel discussion at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and watch the full event .  

The Journal Sentinel has other information on data centers available, including an .  

Want to learn more? Check out the Center for Water Policy’s research on data centers:   

  • | Rutgers Computer and Technology Law Journal
  • | The Conversation
  • | American Bar Association

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]]> We’reHiringa New Lawyer! Now Accepting Applications for Water Policy Specialist /centerforwaterpolicy/were-hiring-a-new-lawyer-now-accepting-applications-for-water-policy-specialist/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:35:31 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3362 The Center for Water Policy has launched a national search for a Water Policy Specialist. This position is designed to immerse emerging lawyers in the dynamic world of applied research for multidisciplinary water policy solutions.  The Water Policy Specialist will …

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]]> The Center for Water Policy has launched a national search for a Water Policy Specialist. This position is designed to immerse emerging lawyers in the dynamic world of applied research for multidisciplinary water policy solutions. 

The Water Policy Specialist will work with research teams and interact with the public and private sector to inform policy making. “We are searching for new talent to build our research team; through this position we support a water professional who is starting their career and positively shaping water policy,” said Melissa Scanlan, Center for Water Policy Director and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair and Professor in Water Policy. 

A range of possible projects includes water justice and equity; water infrastructure and climate resiliency; AI data centers; public access to coastal resources; PFAs contamination; sustainable freshwater management practices; innovation in the water sector; and integrating water data into decision-making. 

This position is strengthened by a collaboration with Sea Grant. The Water Policy Specialist within the Center for Water Policy will be a UW Water Science-Policy Fellow, part of a cohort of Fellows from the , home to the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program and the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute. 

Apply by April 7, 2026. 

Full Position Description: 

26-2-16 WaterPolicySpecialist-PositionDescriptionDownload

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]]> Upcoming Center for Water PolicyPublic Outreach and EducationEvents /centerforwaterpolicy/upcoming-center-for-water-policy-public-outreach-and-education-events/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:41:19 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3348 The Center’s mission is to provide world class interdisciplinary solutions to resolve problems related to the protection, restoration,and conservation of freshwater resources.Our staff have already committed toover20private and public engagementsinthe first half of2026toadvance that mission bysharingourexpertiseinthe field of waterlawandpolicy.We will …

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]]> The Center’s mission is to provide world class interdisciplinary solutions to resolve problems related to the protection, restoration,and conservation of freshwater resources.Our staff have already committed toover20private and public engagementsinthe first half of2026toadvance that mission bysharingourexpertiseinthe field of waterlawandpolicy.We will speak at and host events on topics ranging from data centers to water access as a human right.Weinvite you to join us atanyof the public eventsto learn more about how toprotectwater resources in the Great Lakes and beyond!

26-2-5_Web Version_CWP Spring 2026 Public Outreach_EducationDownload

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]]> Director Melissa Scanlan Co-Authors“Water Law in a Nutshell” /centerforwaterpolicy/director-melissa-scanlan-co-authors-water-law-in-a-nutshell/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:52:58 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3284 Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlan co-authored the 7th edition of “Water Law in a Nutshell,” published by West Academic. This newest edition, co-authored with water law professors Sandra Zellmer from the University of Montana School of Law and Adell Amos from the University of …

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]]> Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlan co-authored the 7th edition of “Water Law in a Nutshell,” published by West Academic. This newest edition, co-authored with water law professors Sandra Zellmer from the University of Montana School of Law and Adell Amos from the University of Oregon School of Law, adds dozens of recent decisions and key statutory changes. The 7th edition explains legal changes in evolving areas like climate disruption, groundwater-surface water conflicts, public recreational uses, instream flow protection, federal water development, takings claims, and water access and equity. Center for Water Policy alumni Daniel McLennon and Emma Ehrlich provided research assistance.  

This book is an excellent aid for students, practitioners, and judges. Copies are available to purchase on the  in both eBook and softbound formats. 

Water-in-a-Nutshell-FlyerDownload

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]]> Journalist inResidence Dan EganReports on Legal Battle for Public Access Along Lake Michigan Shorelines /centerforwaterpolicy/journalist-in-residence-dan-egan-reports-on-legal-battle-for-public-access-along-lake-michigan-shorelines/ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:34:27 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3249 A new article by Journalist in Residence Dan Egan for Wisconsin Watch exposes a critical legal fight over public access to Lake Michigan beaches.   The article follows the case of 51 professor Paul Florsheim, who is fighting Shorewood’s issuance of atrespassing citationforwalking across a …

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]]> A new article by Journalist in Residence Dan Egan for Wisconsin Watch exposes a critical legal fight over public access to Lake Michigan beaches.  

The article follows the case of 51 professor Paul Florsheim, who is fighting Shorewood’s issuance of atrespassing citationforwalking across a stretch of Lake Michigan beachbetween the water’s edge and the OrdinaryHigh WaterMarkthat he has frequented for more than fifty years.Egan’sreportingdiscussesthe regional legal disparity between Wisconsin and neighboring states such as Michigan and Indiana, where the public’s right to walk along the coastlinehas been settled in favor of the public by state SupremeCourts.Egan’s story delves into the context surrounding the dispute, with a focus on the property owner’s compoundright on the beach(pictured above). Florsheim’s case is pending adecision in the municipal court.

Read the full story on Wisconsin Watch:  

Read more of the Center’s Public Trust Doctrine research here!  

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]]> Center for Water Policy Quoted in Washington PostStoryCovering U.N. Report on Global Water ‘Bankruptcy’ /centerforwaterpolicy/center-for-water-policy-quoted-in-washington-post-story-covering-u-n-report-on-global-water-bankruptcy/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:21:15 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3240 Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlan was quoted in aWashington Postپ examining arecent report from the United Nations University, the U.N.’s research arm,thatfindsclimate change, pollution and decades of overuse have pushed the …

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]]> Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlan was quoted in aWashington Postپ examining arecent report from the United Nations University, the U.N.’s research arm,thatfindsclimate change, pollution and decades of overuse have pushed the world into a state of “water bankruptcy,”a state they define as a long-term condition that requires a global reset in approaches.

Fresh water is a finite resource with inputs and outputs that make up a global water budget. People worldwide are starting to experience the impacts of overspending that budget. “The global scope of the report is useful in showing repeat patterns,” Scanlan said. “It’s not just the Southern Hemisphere, it’s not just the Middle East. There is something larger at play in terms of how we’re treating water across the world.” Professor Scanlan’s water law and policy research has included analysis of water budget issues closer to home, highlighting how climate change and population pressures have intensified water management challenges in the relatively water-rich North American Great Lakes. 

Read the full article from the Washington Post.  .   the UN report. 

And read the Center’s law review article on climate change and population pressures intensifying water management challenges here. 

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]]> Check out our 2025 Water Policy Publications! /centerforwaterpolicy/check-out-our-2025-water-policy-publications/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:44:51 +0000 /centerforwaterpolicy/?p=3220 In 2025, the Water Policy Program at the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences continued its multidisciplinary research on the most urgent freshwater policy challenges. Our work—featured in academic articles, policy briefs, and other reports—examines a broad set of issues shaping …

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]]> In 2025, the Water Policy Program at the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences continued its multidisciplinary research on the most urgent freshwater policy challenges. Our work—featured in academic articles, policy briefs, and other reports—examines a broad set of issues shaping the future of water sustainability and governance. This year’s publications highlight policy needs and emerging solutions related to AI-data center water consumption and transparency, flood protection, the evolving PFAS regulatory landscape, abandoned boats, and more.  

Read more below and find links to each of our 2025 Water Policy Publications! 

2025WaterPolicyPublicationsReportDownload

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