Sierra Club Michigan launches online tracker of lawmakers’ and candidates’ data center stances
The Sierra Club Michigan launched an online tracker showing where Michigan lawmakers and legislative candidates stand on data center policies. The effort focuses on water protection, electricity costs, transparency, tax incentives and other proposed regulations, while related bills remain pending in the state Legislature.
Sierra Club Michigan launched a crowdsourced Data Center Position Tracker to document the views of Michigan lawmakers and candidates on data center policy. The organization said the tool is intended to promote advocacy and accountability, with entries showing officials’ positions on issues including water use, energy costs, transparency, community benefits and tax incentives.
Clean Water Action Michigan State Director Emily Woodcock said canvassers are hearing concerns about affordability, electricity prices and water impacts. Republican Sen. Michele Hoitenga supports most proposed protections but opposes mandatory union labor, while Democratic Sen. Jeff Irwin supports removing tax reductions for large projects if ratepayer, water, clean-energy and efficiency protections remain. Bills addressing data center moratoriums, regulations and incentives have been introduced but have not reached the governor’s desk.