Fighting the good fight

HOUGHTON, MI – Artificial Intelligence Data Centers have become a significant topic in Michigan politics, prompting a protest in Houghton organized by local activist groups Keweenaw Indivisible and Keweenaw Against The Oligarchy. Over 60 protesters gathered at the Portage Lake Lift Bridge as part of a statewide effort against data center development. The protest featured guest speakers, including Michigan Technological University students Emma Goodman and Nolan Wright, who articulated the drawbacks of data centers. Speakers highlighted concerns about the substantial energy demands, with one data center in Saline, Michigan, projected to use 1.4 gigawatts, placing a burden on residents and the environment. Data centers' high water usage and discharge of heated water into lakes and rivers were also raised as environmental threats. Noise pollution from data centers was another key issue, with Wright stating that neighboring properties often experience noise levels between 55 and 80 decibels. Protesters cited examples from other Michigan communities like Saline, Howell, and Dafter Township, where a crypto mine is causing noise issues for a neighboring school. Goodman encouraged U.P. residents to engage with local government, attend township meetings, and work with leaders to draft ordinances and moratoriums to prepare for potential data center development in the area. Demands included a statewide moratorium on data centers and fostering local discussions on the issue in the Western U.P., underscoring a unified effort to address the perceived negative impacts of these facilities.