Will Lawrence unveils new plan to pause data center construction and AI development
Will Lawrence, a Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, has unveiled a "STOP" plan proposing an immediate federal moratorium on all new data center construction and advanced AI development. The plan also calls for a tax on tech profits to fund a jobs program, citing concerns about data centers' impact on energy costs, water, property values, and local control. Lawrence criticized his opponent, US Rep. Tom Barrett, for supporting pro-data center legislation and accepting tech industry campaign funds.
Will Lawrence, a Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, unveiled his "STOP" (Stop Tech Overreach Plan) in Mason, Michigan, on Thursday. The plan calls for an immediate federal moratorium on all new data center construction and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model development. Lawrence, who has actively opposed data centers in Michigan townships like Mason, Lyon, Williamstown, and Lansing, argues that the industry's rapid expansion consumes excessive electricity and water, benefits from tax exemptions, and leaves local governments with limited power to regulate.
The candidate's proposal, made near the site of a proposed hyperscale data center, emphasizes the need for Congress to establish enforceable rules for the tech industry. He cited the "Stargate project" in Saline Township as an example where developers allegedly overwhelmed local opposition with lawsuits. Beyond the moratorium, the STOP plan advocates for a New Deal-style national jobs program, funded by a new tax on AI profits and tech billionaire wealth, to support workers potentially displaced by automation and AI.
Lawrence also raised concerns about the existential risks of unbridled AI development, likening it to a product safety issue with potential for catastrophic outcomes, including mass unemployment and a decline in basic human cognitive skills. He directly criticized his opponent, US Rep. Tom Barrett, for voting for legislation that provided significant tax breaks to data centers and for accepting campaign contributions from tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle. Lawrence countered the argument that a US moratorium would cede ground to China by emphasizing adherence to democratic principles and protecting the American people.