Local Control and Energy Costs Take Focus as Data Center Debate Continues
Michigan lawmakers have proposed legislation requiring data center developers to disclose electricity, water, infrastructure and environmental impacts while giving communities more authority over project reviews. In Ypsilanti Township, officials and residents are seeking further discussion about the University of Michigan’s proposed $1.25 billion computing center, while regulators approved electricity contracts for Google’s planned Van Buren Township facility and scheduled a wastewater hearing for the Saline Township project.
State Rep. Reggie Miller introduced two bills that would expand local oversight of large-scale data centers by requiring disclosures on power and water use, infrastructure needs and environmental impacts. The bills would also allow communities to recover review costs and negotiate agreements covering issues such as noise, lighting and site restoration; both remain before the House Government Operations Committee.
Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo is seeking another public meeting with the University of Michigan over its proposed $1.25 billion computing center on Textile Road. Residents have raised concerns about water safety, environmental effects and transparency, while university officials cite existing utility infrastructure and say the facility, developed with Los Alamos National Laboratory, will support scientific and national security research. Separately, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved 20-year electricity contracts for Google’s planned Van Buren Township data center, and the state environmental agency scheduled an Oct. 21 hearing on wastewater discharge from the Saline Township project involving Oracle and OpenAI.