Data centers are opening salvo in Lawrence, Barrett congressional fight
Democratic congressional candidate Will Lawrence and incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett are clashing over data center development, particularly regarding a proposed hyperscale project in Mason, Ingham County, Michigan. Lawrence advocates for a federal moratorium, citing environmental and local control concerns, while Barrett emphasizes local decision-making and has historically opposed data center incentives. The debate highlights broader issues of environmental impact, utility rates, and local communities' power against large developers.
Democratic candidate Will Lawrence and incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett are engaged in a heated congressional battle centered on data center development, particularly a proposed hyperscale project in Mason, Ingham County, Michigan. Lawrence's campaign launched an ad accusing Barrett of supporting the Mason data center, a claim Barrett's campaign denies.
Lawrence has made opposition to data centers a central theme of his campaign, advocating for a federal moratorium to allow for the establishment of new regulations. He argues that such a moratorium is