Paquette supporting one-year statewide data center moratorium
State Representative Brad Paquette is co-sponsoring legislation for a one-year statewide moratorium on new data centers in Michigan, citing concerns over noise, energy usage, and potential privacy issues. This initiative follows noise complaints from residents near a Hyperscale data center in Dowagiac. Paquette is not optimistic the bill will pass due to strong lobbying against such measures.
Michigan State Representative Brad Paquette of Niles is a sponsor of proposed legislation that would enact a one-year moratorium on new data center developments across Michigan. Paquette's support for the moratorium stems from concerns about the industry's impact, which intensified after he visited the Hyperscale data center in Dowagiac, a community he represents, where residents have reported persistent noise.
Paquette noted the constant drone from the facility and highlighted broader national discussions regarding data centers' energy consumption, cooling methods, and potential privacy implications related to surveillance. He expressed particular concern about the use of large-scale data centers in conjunction with issues like FISA reauthorization and citizen surveillance, leading him to hold up related bills in Lansing, including those that would designate data centers as critical infrastructure or allow them to shoot down nearby drones.
Despite the clear need for answers on these issues, Paquette is not optimistic about the moratorium's chances of approval. He acknowledges the significant lobbying power of data center companies, which he believes often goes unrecognized by the public. He suggests that, given the current political landscape in Michigan's House, Senate, and the governor's office, with the governor reportedly favoring data center developments, the bill is unlikely to be signed. Nevertheless, Paquette views data center regulation as a crucial campaign issue that should be part of Michigan's gubernatorial race.