Data center is threat to Saline River, residents say in wetlands hearing

Residents in Saline, Michigan are opposing a proposed $7 billion data center development by Oracle and OpenAI that would disturb 10 acres of wetlands. Environmental concerns include potential contamination from the facility's cooling system, impacts on the Saline River, and the data center's climate impacts. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy held a public hearing on the proposed wetlands permit, while the Michigan Public Service Commission recently approved quick approval of the project's power contracts despite public opposition.