Ypsilanti Township eyes moratorium on power transmission to slow U-M data center

Ypsilanti Township is proposing a six-month moratorium on power transmission updates to thoroughly evaluate if local infrastructure can support the University of Michigan's (U-M) planned $1.2 billion data center. This new initiative, to be considered by the township board, comes one week after U-M finalized the site for the collaborative project with Los Alamos National Laboratory. The data center's power needs include a DTE substation capable of powering 80,000 homes, potentially requiring new transmission line corridors and expanded utility easements, which township attorney Doug Winters describes as "gigantic monstrosities" with significant environmental impacts.

This proposed moratorium marks the latest effort in the township's year-long opposition to the U-M facility. In April, the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority had already enacted a one-year moratorium on water and sewage use for the U-M data center and another planned facility in Augusta Township. Township officials express concerns about U-M's transparency regarding the facility's purpose, which includes national security and nuclear weapons research, and its potential impact on the lower-income community and environment. Despite these objections, U-M and supporters like the Detroit Regional Chamber highlight the project's potential to boost regional prestige, create 200 high-paying jobs, and foster spillover businesses, with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. pledging $100 million for site preparation. U-M spokesperson Chris Sebastian declined to comment on the new moratorium, while DTE spokesperson Ryan Lowry stated the utility is reviewing the proposal and committed to working with officials.