Overview:

- Oakland University is partnering with Ohio-based Fairmount Properties to develop a 26-megawatt data center.
- U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton introduced legislation Thursday exempting fully off-grid power suppliers from Federal Power Act and Department of Energy regulations.
- Microsoft revealed it's pursuing a potential $1 billion data center on 240 acres in Lowell Township's Covenant Business Park along I-96.

🔌 Northville residents applaud city’s data center moratorium Northville preemptively approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers without facing any proposals. Community Development Director Justin Quagliata said city leaders acted proactively after observing challenges in surrounding communities. The pause allows officials to examine zoning ordinance amendments. Residents praised the decision, citing concerns about transparency and speed of data center developments. Quagliata anticipates robust community discussion given statewide concerns about data center projects. 📌 Source: WXYZ

🔌 Oakland University plans 26-megawatt data center Oakland University is partnering with Ohio-based Fairmount Properties to develop a 26-megawatt data center in Parking Lot 35, adjacent to a DTE substation. The facility would relocate OU’s current data center from Dodge Hall and seek commercial tenants. Officials emphasize this is an “edge” data center, smaller than hyperscale facilities. A feasibility study will assess environmental impact, utilities, and market potential before presenting a business plan to OU’s board in spring or summer 2026. 📌 Source: The Oakland Press

🔌 Northern Oakland County community enacts data center moratorium Springfield Township enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center proposals after consultants warned the community was unprepared for such developments. Supervisor Ric Davis said the pause allows proper planning for construction standards, environmental protections, and emergency preparedness. The moratorium came days before officials met with developers interested in an 84-acre site. Several southeast Michigan communities have faced similar data center proposals, with some meeting local resistance. 📌 Source: The Detroit News

🔌 Leonard’s utility plan would ban decisions like Saline data center approval Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard released a utility regulation plan addressing Michigan’s high utility rates and reliability issues. His proposal would expand the Michigan Public Service Commission from three to five members, dilute gubernatorial appointment power, and ban ex-parte decisions like the one that conditionally approved Saline Township’s massive data center. Leonard wants to repeal laws allowing the commission to approve renewable energy projects over local objections, giving communities final say on land use. 📌 Source: Michigan Public

🔌 Cotton introduces bill allowing data centers to bypass utility regulations U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton introduced legislation Thursday exempting fully off-grid power suppliers from Federal Power Act and Department of Energy regulations. The DATA Act of 2026 would create “consumer-regulated electric utilities” serving isolated systems without grid connection or backup. Cotton said it eliminates outdated regulations for energy-intensive industries. The Union of Concerned Scientists’ Mike Jacobs said utilities will likely oppose the bill due to revenue threats, adding that exemptions benefit the public by preventing data center costs from affecting consumers. 📌 Source: Utility Dive

🔌 Microsoft behind Lowell Township data center proposal Microsoft revealed it’s pursuing a potential $1 billion data center on 240 acres in Lowell Township’s Covenant Business Park along I-96. The tech giant requested pausing the rezoning process to engage with the community, noting it’s in preliminary planning stages. This marks Microsoft’s third West Michigan data center site, following projects in Gaines Township and Dorr Township. Combined, Microsoft has acquired or is securing nearly 900 acres outside Grand Rapids for potential data center development. 📌 Source: Crain’s Grand Rapids Business

🔌 Saline City Council to vote on data center moratorium tonight Saline City Council will vote tonight on a 12-month data center moratorium. Data centers aren’t currently addressed in the city’s zoning ordinance. The resolution directs the Planning Commission to study the issue and present recommendations. Mayor Brian Marl said Fortune 100 companies contacted him last year about building data centers on adjacent township land with plans to request annexation into the city, though nothing materialized from those discussions. 📌 Source: WEMU-FM

🔌 Saginaw considers six-month freeze on data center developments Saginaw City Council will vote Monday on a six-month data center moratorium, directing staff to develop regulations for such facilities. The measure follows a 5-4 vote in December instructing staff to draft the moratorium, though no data center developments have been proposed. City Manager Tim Morales expressed concerns about impacts on infrastructure and services, particularly the municipal water system serving 170,000 regional customers. The action reflects growing statewide concerns about data center developments. 📌 Source: MLive

🔌 Bay City votes to prepare local data center regulations Bay City commissioners unanimously voted to explore local data center regulations despite having no current proposals. Commissioner Joseph Charlebois expressed concerns about grid capacity and said the area lacks sufficient power for electric cars. Commissioner Benjamin Tenney said he worries about AI’s impact on critical thinking and creativity and praised the plan’s public engagement component. The decision follows statewide pushback against data centers, with communities like Howell and Saline protesting proposals. 📌 Source: WCMU-FM

🔌 Pentagon requests bids for AI data centers at four US military installations The Department of Defense requested proposals for private AI data centers on unused military base land, with a Jan. 22 deadline. Available sites include Fort Hood (207 acres), Fort Bragg (734 acres across six locations), Fort Bliss (1,384 acres), and Dugway Proving Ground (3,466 acres across three parcels). Water risk ranges from low-medium to extremely high depending on location. The move follows a Trump executive order streamlining environmental reviews for data center development on federal land. 📌 Source: Data Center Dynamics

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Dustin Blitchok brings extensive editorial leadership experience, having served as an editor at Benzinga and Metro Times, and got his start in journalism at The Oakland Press. As a longtime Detroit resident and journalist, he has covered a wide range of public interest stories, including criminal justice and government accountability.