Daily Digest — March 30, 2026
Michigan MPSC Approves 1,332 MW of Energy Storage; Denies Rehearing on Saline Data Center
The Michigan Public Service Commission approved six energy storage contracts totaling 1,332 megawatts, according to 9&10 News. The projects — Big Mitten, Monroe I, Fermi, Fish Creek, Cold Creek, and Pine River energy centers — will be developed, owned, and operated by DTE Electric Co.
Of the approved capacity, 332 MW is designated to support a 1,383 MW data center under development by Green Chile Ventures LLC in Saline Township, Washtenaw County. Key ratepayer protections include:
- Green Chile Ventures covering energy storage development costs over a 15-year period
- A 19-year minimum contract requirement
- A mandate that the data center pay for at least 80% of its contracted electricity use
The MPSC also denied rehearing petitions filed by the Michigan Attorney General and environmental groups including the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, finding the petitioners lacked standing and failed to present new evidence challenging the December 2025 approval.
Michigan Grid Capacity Debate Intensifies; Lawmakers Weigh Data Center Moratorium
Separately, as reported by MITechNews, the Saline project continues to drive a broader statewide debate over grid capacity and cost allocation. A Washtenaw County judge recently rejected a legal challenge from residents seeking to intervene in a settlement related to the project.
Utilities DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have advocated before the MPSC that large-load customers should cover incremental infrastructure costs. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office has called for additional review to ensure existing ratepayers do not subsidize private development through system-wide upgrades.
State lawmakers are now backing a proposed moratorium on new data center developments, citing concerns that local governments lack the technical expertise to evaluate projects of this scale, particularly those involving complex energy infrastructure.
Goochland County, Virginia Residents Sue Over Technology Overlay District
Residents in Goochland County, Virginia, have filed a lawsuit against the county following its approval of a Technology Overlay District, according to WRIC ABC 8News. The legal action reflects continued community opposition to zoning decisions that would facilitate data center development in the county.
New Jersey Town Moves to Ban AI Data Centers
A New Jersey town has initiated steps to ban AI data centers, as reported by NJ.com and SILive.com. The measure is described as a proactive effort to address potential impacts before widespread development occurs. The specific municipality was not identified in the reporting.
The action comes as New Jersey experienced the nation's fastest electricity price increase in 2025 — a 16.9% surge — according to Lakewood Alerts, citing Joint Economic Committee data. Energy analysts attribute the spike in part to rising demand from data center expansion, alongside electric vehicle adoption and grid infrastructure costs. Governor Mikie Sherrill has signed an executive order to freeze rates and investigate grid management practices.
Pennsylvania Zoning Hearing Resumes on Dorrance Township Data Center Challenge
The Dorrance Township zoning hearing board is set to resume a hearing Monday on a substantive validity challenge filed by Brewster Land Company, LLC, according to the Hazleton Standard Speaker. The company argues the township's zoning ordinance, prior to a September 22 amendment, unlawfully excluded data center uses under Pennsylvania law.
If the board agrees, it will consider granting site-specific relief to allow construction of a data center with six buildings on a 155-acre commercial-zoned parcel at South Main and Yeager Roads. The amended ordinance now limits data centers to industrial zones. If denied, the company may appeal to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.
National Roundup: Federal Legislation, South Dakota Restrictions, Georgia Legal Challenge
A compilation from The Electric highlights several additional developments:
- **Federal:** U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a bill to halt data center construction, per Wired
- **South Dakota:** New data center restrictions have been signed into law following a failed push for incentives, per RouteFifty
- **Georgia:** A new court challenge has been filed against a Georgia Power data center expansion project, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- **Wisconsin:** Data center growth is driving increasing competition over power grid construction, per Wisconsin Public Radio
- **Meta:** Bloomberg reports Meta is funding seven gas plants to power its largest data center
