Benson, James battle over data centers, economy in Michigan gubernatorial debate
Michigan gubernatorial candidates Jocelyn Benson and John James both called for a moratorium on new data center development until the state adopts safeguards for water use, electricity costs, pollution and local control. They clashed over a data center development in Saline Township and over their broader approaches to regulating the industry.
During a Michigan gubernatorial debate, Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson and Republican candidate John James presented competing proposals for managing new data center development. Both candidates supported a moratorium until the state establishes protections for water resources, electricity customers, local communities and the environment.
Benson said she supports safeguards against higher utility costs and criticized James over his position on a development in Saline Township, while denying that her family has profited from data centers. James proposed a five-point plan emphasizing local approval authority, limits on electricity bill increases, water and pollution protections, and the use of brownfield sites instead of productive farmland.