Lowell Township mulls moratorium on data centers

Lowell Township in Michigan is weighing a proposed six-month moratorium on new data center developments. The Lowell Township board presented the initial reading of the proposal during a Monday meeting, citing concerns about regulating these facilities. The consideration comes amidst significant public resistance to Microsoft's plan to construct a data center at the 237-acre Covenant Business Park, located at 4687 Alden Nash Ave near I-96. Residents have voiced strong objections, including at the recent meeting, emphasizing potential impacts on the community. Betsy Lopez Wagner, representing the group Residents United for a Healthy Lowell, articulated the community's concerns, stating, "Our community’s health, water, environment and quality of life are not commodities to be handed over to corporate interests, Microsoft or otherwise." Wagner stressed that a moratorium is necessary to provide planning boards and councils with the time to research and establish appropriate zoning regulations to safeguard public health, safety, and local ecosystems. No immediate action was taken on the proposed moratorium at the Monday meeting, with a second reading slated for an upcoming session.