A small town voted against a $16 billion AI data center. Weeks later, construction began #AI #news
Saline Township, Michigan, voted against a $16 billion AI data center project by OpenAI and Oracle. However, the developer, Related Digital, sued the town, leading to a settlement that allowed construction to begin. Residents express concerns about water, environmental impact, and electricity.
Residents of Saline Township, Michigan, attempted to block a proposed $16 billion AI data center project by OpenAI and Oracle, developed by Related Digital. Last September, the Saline Township board voted four to one against the proposal, citing concerns over the industrialization of land previously zoned for agriculture and the potential for a noisy construction phase.
Despite the board's initial rejection, the town was later sued by the developer. Faced with the inability to defend itself in a prolonged legal battle, Saline Township was advised to settle, which ultimately allowed the project to proceed. Fortune AI reporter Sharon Goldman traveled to Saline Township to interview residents and board members, as well as representatives from Related Digital, OpenAI, Oracle, and the utility company DTE, which is supplying electricity to the facility.
Local residents continue to voice significant concerns regarding the data center's impact on water resources, the local environment, and electricity consumption. They also expressed apprehension about the potential construction of a gas plant to support the facility.