Michigan is rapidly becoming a hotspot for massive data center developments, raising questions about energy demand, water use, and tax incentives. We examine what this growth means for communities and the environment.
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GUIDE
Data centers in Michigan: What you need to know
As data centers proliferate across the Great Lakes, driven by AI’s soaring demands, communities face a dual reality: economic growth and environmental challenges.
REPORTING
Data center news: Feds request rules on data centers colocated with gas, nuclear power plants
The request to PJM Interconnection, an electric grid operator in the eastern U.S., is a “major victory” for companies like Constellation Energy and Vistra.
VOICES: Why Michigan’s data center fight is really about who gets to decide
In Saline Township, residents voiced concerns over a data center project, citing risks to water, energy, and pollution. Despite their engagement, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved the project, risking failure in public trust.
Data center is threat to Saline River, residents say in wetlands hearing
Pollution from closed-loop cooling systems, wetland destruction are among the issues aired at EGLE hearing on Oracle, OpenAI data center’s wetland permit.
Live recap: Data centers and local power in Michigan
In Michigan, rural communities are grappling with the impact of major tech companies proposing large-scale data centers, raising critical questions about energy consumption, water use, and who truly benefits from tax incentives.
DTE Energy’s Saline data center contracts win quick state approval, despite uproar
The $7 billion, 1.4 gigawatt Oracle and OpenAI data center is planned for 575 acres of farmland south of Ann Arbor.
Michigan’s data center tax breaks: Will lawmakers succeed in repealing them?
Michigan lawmakers are challenging tax incentives for data centers, as residents voice concerns about environmental impacts and energy demands.
Data center protest at Michigan Capitol aims to pressure regulators ahead of DTE Energy decision
New legislation would roll back Michigan’s tax incentives for large data center developments, which were signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the end of 2024.
Southfield City Council greenlights divisive data center plan: ‘Too many unknowns’
Southfield City Council approves 100 megawatt data center site plan, highlights economic growth and tax benefits while residents question impact to the environment and energy grid.
Saline Township resident alleges data center settlement was improper: Township attorney says ‘everybody saw them vote’
Saline Township’s settlement with data center developer Related Digital was not properly approved, a resident says in new court filing.
Activists to rally in Lansing for statewide moratorium on new AI data centers
A rally on the Capitol lawn Tuesday will demand a halt to new AI data centers over fears of environmental impact and unchecked corporate benefits.
Data center news: Hyperscale project proposed in Oakland County by company with backing from Alphabet
A 1.8-million-square-foot hyperscale data center complex has conditional approval from the Lyon Township Planning Commission.
‘Project Cannoli’: Developer pitches 1-gigawatt data center for Van Buren Township
Van Buren Township residents express concern about pollution, ratepayer impacts from proposed 1 gigawatt data center.
Washington Township planners postpone data center decision after 3 hours of resident feedback
The proposed location of a data center in the Macomb County community is on the south side of 32 Mile Road, between M-53 and Powell Road.
Lawmakers introduce bill to cancel $100 million University of Michigan data center grant
The University of Michigan has failed to act transparently or coordinate with local officials on data center project, says state Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr.
York Township residents sound alarm about proliferation of data centers in Washtenaw County
Township residents press for a data center moratorium following an informal proposal for a 1 gigawatt facility.
Data center developers hit pause on $1 billion Howell Township proposal: ‘The right thing to do now’
Howell Township official expects developers to resubmit application for the $1 billion project when six-month data center moratorium ends.
DTE Energy says it expects Saline data center approval later this month, has more deals in negotiation
DTE has 3 gigawatts of data center deals in late-stage negotiations, the utility says in Friday update.
Michigan regulators blow past DTE’s data center deadline
Michigan regulators announce virtual hearing Dec. 18 on a planned Saline Township data center’s wetland, stream, and floodplain impacts.
‘Get it right’: Residents urge Michigan regulators not to rush DTE deal for Saline Township data center
A virtual hearing on DTE’s plans to power a $7 billion Oracle and OpenAI data center draws commenters worried about power bills, energy reliability, and environmental costs. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and union representatives stress the project’s economic benefits.
Demonstrators at DTE headquarters voice objections to 1.4 gigawatt data center deal
The protest outside DTE Energy headquarters precedes a virtual hearing by state regulators on a 1.4 gigawatt data center deal in Saline Township.
‘No secret deals’: Protest targets DTE’s fast-moving Saline Township data center request
Bridgewater Township resident Josh LeBaron says resistance to data centers is politically unifying: “In a deeply divided country, there’s something in this issue for everyone to hate.”
DTE wants power deal for $7 billion data center approved by Dec. 5: ‘False sense of urgency’
DTE Energy’s fast-track application for electric contracts required for a $7 billion data center shows a lack of transparency, says renewable energy group’s attorney.
Michigan’s utility regulator under fire over DTE Energy data center contracts: Public hearing or ‘performative listening’?
Michigan’s Public Service Commission is hosting a virtual public hearing on DTE Energy’s fast-track proposal to power a massive new data center in Saline Township. The plan has sparked backlash from the attorney general and environmental groups, who argue it lacks transparency and could affect ratepayers.
Meta behind planned Howell data center: Township trustee
Members of the group Stop the Data Centers Livingston County say a moratorium passed Thursday does not apply to the current developer.
Howell Township officials under pressure to approve $1 billion data center: ‘DTE is going to have to pivot’
The Howell Township board, at the center of the debate over a $1 billion data center proposal, is scheduled to consider a six-month data center moratorium Thursday .
Are Michigan’s data center tax breaks ignoring clean energy laws?
Environmental advocates call on Michigan to tighten data center tax rules, ensuring these facilities meet the state’s 90% clean energy mandate, crucial for reducing fossil fuel reliance and protecting consumers.
DTE contracts for $7 billion Saline Township data center face public hearing
DTE is asking Michigan’s utility regulator to approve special contracts for electric service for a 1.4-gigawatt data center in Saline Township.
Michigan regulators move to protect Consumers Energy customers from some data center costs
Michigan regulators address “stranded asset” risk posed by data centers.
$7 billion Saline Township data center reignites concern over Michigan climate plan ‘off ramp’
DTE looks to fast-track OpenAI facility, while environmental advocates raise alarms over utilities’ plans to build more gas plants to meet massive energy needs of data centers.
Developer announces $7 billion data hyperscale data center in Saline Township after settlement
Tech giants OpenAI, Oracle, and developer Related Digital are set to transform Saline Township with a $7 billion hyperscale data center project, with construction slated to begin in 2026.
Michigan utility customers need protection from data center costs, demonstrators say
The chair of Michigan’s utility regulator warns “lumpier” data center power demand growth could stick other customers with costs.
Ypsilanti City Council calls for halt to University of Michigan data center project
Ypsilanti council opposes University of Michigan data center with resolution that draws attention to potential environmental impacts and Los Alamos’ nuclear weapons work.
Saline Township settles with data center developer: ‘Lesser of two evils’
Facing a lawsuit from landowners and data center developer, Saline Township opts for a settlement that earmarks funding for the community.
Consumers Energy case sheds light on how Michigan data centers could hike your power bill
Michigan regulators are considering a Consumers Energy case that could indicate how the state plans to protect residential customers from potential price hikes caused by power-hungry data centers.
$1 billion data center plan hits roadblock in Howell Township
Planning commission vote follows a seven-hour public meeting and outpouring of resident concern over impacts to water resources and energy prices.
Attorneys sketch out Saline Township’s options in data center fight
Threat of monetary damages adds to risk for rural township fighting data center.
Washtenaw communities fight data center developments: ‘Not soft touches’
Data center proposals in Washtenaw County force local officials to weigh in on massive developments that could bring significant local tax revenue — and transform rural landscapes.
Data center developer takes Saline Township to court over rezoning decision
Saline Township board’s denial of rezoning of farmland for data center project comes after outpouring of resident concerns over noise, traffic, and environmental impact.
Saline Township denies data center rezoning request: ‘Self-imposed environmental catastrophe’
Saline Township officials reject rezoning plan for a data center on 575 acres of farmland. Residents voiced fears over water use, pollution, and energy demands, while supporters highlighted potential tax revenue and community funding.
Can 957 signatures halt a $1 billion data center in Augusta Township?
Residents of Augusta Township rally to submit 957 signatures, aim to let voters decide on the rezoning of land for a data center.
What we’re reading: Household electricity bills jump 10% under Trump administration
A new report highlights the impact of Trump’s anti-renewable policies, with U.S. household energy costs rising 10% since his inauguration. Michigan faces a $1 billion challenge to expand EV chargers, crucial for future demand. In public health, Kent County reports Michigan’s first 2025 West Nile virus death.
University of Michigan looks at alternative site for $1.2 billion data center as Ypsilanti Township pushes back
Ypsilanti Township officials say they distrust the university, adopt resolution to relocate the facility. But the proposed new location sits next to the environmentally overburdened West Willow neighborhood.
Data centers are coming to the Great Lakes — and they could drain local water supplies
As data centers expand, their water demands could double or even quadruple by 2028, threatening local water supplies, including the vital Great Lakes region.
Ballot drive kicks off to put Washtenaw County data center decision in hands of voters
Augusta Township residents are gathering signatures to challenge a rezoning decision for a planned $1 billion data center. Concerns over rising utility costs, environmental impact, and grid strain drive their efforts.
University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official
Supervisor Brenda Stumbo says University of Michigan misled her about the size of the project and voiced concerns about noise, vibration, and possible environmental impacts.
Ypsilanti Township residents speak out against University of Michigan’s ‘biggest, baddest’ data center
In Ypsilanti Township, residents are sounding alarms over a $1.2 billion data center project by the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory, citing fears of rising utility costs, environmental harm, and the advancement of surveillance technologies.