Data center news: Ypsilanti Township escalates fight against U of M, Los Alamos project

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Here’s a roundup of data center news we’re watching at Planet Detroit as we cover the environmental and financial impacts of the developments in Michigan communities.

⚡ Ypsilanti Township escalates fight against U of M, Los Alamos project The Ypsilanti Township board formally resolved March 31 to oppose the construction of a University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory data center anywhere in the township, following U of M’s purchase of a 124-acre parcel on Textile Road. Community concerns center on environmental impact, national security risks, and lack of transparency. U of M maintains the $1.25-billion project is a computational research center, not a nuclear weapons site or data center, and says no final location has been selected. 📌 Source: The Eastern Echo

⚡ Oakland County Election Commission rejects Lyon Township recall petitions An anti-data center group’s second attempt to get recall petition language approved against Lyon Township’s board has failed, with the Oakland County Election Commission unanimously rejecting all 23 petitions for lacking clarity. The group, No Data Center in Lyon Township, plans a third attempt after consulting an attorney. The controversy stems from a planning commission’s September approval of “Project Flex,” a 1.8-million square-foot, six-building data center on 172 acres in the South Hill Business Park West. 📌 Source: Hometown Life

⚡ Bank of America, Blackstone back $16 billion Oracle data center Related Digital is nearing $16 billion in financing for an Oracle data center in Saline Township, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The project, part of the Stargate AI infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital, exceeds 1 gigawatt in capacity. Full construction began in February, with Blackstone contributing nearly $2 billion in equity and Bank of America leading roughly $14 billion in debt financing structured as a bond offering. 📌 Source: Reuters

⚡ Michigan regulators shut down Nessel’s push to review DTE data center contracts The Michigan Public Service Commission unanimously rejected Attorney General Dana Nessel’s efforts to reopen and review DTE Energy’s power contracts for the Saline Township data center. The three Whitmer-appointed commissioners offered no explanation for the denial. Nessel argued DTE altered required contract language in ways that could shift costs onto existing customers, and criticized the process as uniquely secretive. She vowed to continue exploring options to protect Michigan ratepayers. 📌 Source: WJRT-TV

⚡ Augusta Township board takes data center recall fight to court Augusta Township board members are fighting in court to overturn approved recall petition language targeting them over a data center rezoning vote. A Washtenaw County Circuit Court hearing is set for May 13, but petitioners can begin collecting the 941 signatures needed starting April 1. The recall stems from the board’s approval of rezoning 522 acres for a proposed Thor Equities data center on which township voters will ultimately decide Aug. 4. 📌 Source: MLive

⚡ Deep Green pulls plug on downtown Lansing data center project Deep Green, a UK-based company, has withdrawn its application for a zoning amendment that would have enabled a downtown Lansing data center project. Lansing City Council President Peter Spadafore announced the news Monday, just hours before a scheduled council vote. The proposed 24-megawatt facility near E. Kalamazoo and S. Cedar Streets was touted as the first of its kind in the U.S., designed to capture and reuse waste heat for the city’s utility system. 📌 Source: WILX-TV

⚡ Hundreds pack Howell town hall on data centers Hundreds gathered at Cleary University in Howell for a “Demystifying Data Centers” town hall hosted by state Rep. Jennifer Conlin and Attorney General Dana Nessel, as a six-month moratorium on data centers in Howell Township nears expiration. A proposed thousand-acre data center along Grand River Avenue sparked discussion about electricity costs, water usage, transparency, and ordinance options. Nessel cautioned against taking companies at their word, while experts highlighted concerns about grid strain and environmental impact. 📌 Source: The Livingston Post

⚡ Dowagiac data center eyes expansion while neighbors complain of noise Hyperscale Data, an AI and bitcoin company operating in Dowagiac, has announced plans to expand in Southwest Michigan by more than 48 acres, growing from 30 to 340 megawatts. Dowagiac’s city manager says the city learned of the expansion through a press release and has had no direct contact with the company. Nearby residents report constant noise issues and communication frustrations, prompting the city council to amend its noise ordinance and review zoning regulations. 📌 Source: WWMT-TV