Viewpoint: Michiganders need to demand transparency on data centers, AI

The Lansing State Journal published a viewpoint article by Natalya Swartz, a conservation social scientist, urging Michiganders to demand transparency regarding data centers and artificial intelligence development in the state. Swartz highlights that AI companies are increasingly eyeing Michigan for its abundant water resources and newly implemented Enterprise Data Center Sales & Use Tax Exemptions (Public Act 181 and Public Act 207), which went into effect in April 2025 without public vote. The article cites specific instances, including UK-based Deep Green, which proposed a 24-megawatt data center in Lansing in conjunction with the Lansing Board of Water & Light but subsequently withdrew its proposal just before a City Council vote. Conversely, tech giant OpenAI successfully advanced its "Stargate Project" in Saline Township, south of Ann Arbor. This project, a 2.2 million square foot "hyperscale" data center on a 575-acre site, represents a $7 billion investment and is described as the largest in Michigan's history, despite Saline Township residents voting 4-1 against its rezoning last September. Swartz emphasizes the critical environmental impact of such developments, particularly concerning the state's water. She notes that projects like Stargate threaten groundwater, which supplies nearly half of Michigan households, and can lead to the destruction of vital wetlands, crucial for water quality and flood protection. The piece concludes with a call to action for citizens to contact their legislators, demanding transparency on data center water use and legally binding environmental protections to safeguard the Great Lakes Basin.