Ypsilanti water system to consider 12-month moratorium on supplying data centers

The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a resolution advocating for a 12-month moratorium on providing water services to data centers. The resolution expresses significant concerns that data centers could severely strain the regional water system, elevate utility costs for residents, and negatively impact other local businesses and residential developments. It specifically calls on the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) to undertake comprehensive environmental and water system studies before committing to serve any large computing facilities. This decision is largely driven by local opposition to a proposed $1.2-billion high-performance computing facility by the University of Michigan and its partner, Los Alamos National Laboratory, within the township. This facility is projected to consume up to 500,000 gallons of water daily. Additionally, another project by Thor Equities in Augusta Township, also within YCUA's service territory, is estimated to use 1 million gallons of water daily and is facing a ballot question. Township officials, including Supervisor Brenda Stumbo and Township Attorney Doug Winters, emphasized the necessity of a “pause button” on data center developments to fully assess their potential environmental consequences, including impacts on the YCUA's limited wastewater treatment capacity. Winters also highlighted Michigan's appeal to data centers due to its water, energy, and state tax incentives, suggesting a lack of due diligence at the state level. This latest resolution builds upon a prior March 31 declaration of opposition to the University of Michigan's project, citing concerns over its affiliation with nuclear weapons research and potential national security risks. The YCUA is scheduled to address the township's moratorium request at its board meeting on April 22.