Environmental groups say Michigan lawmakers are missing action on data center rules
Environmental groups are urging Michigan lawmakers to regulate data centers, citing concerns about their impact on water, air quality, noise pollution, and community health. Advocates are pushing for action on comprehensive regulations, with some also calling for a moratorium on new data center development. Lawmakers are reportedly showing growing bipartisan support for stricter oversight.
Environmental advocacy groups, including Sierra Club Michigan, Clean Water Action, the Michigan Climate Action Network, and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, convened at the Michigan Capitol to press state lawmakers for regulations on data centers. The groups expressed concerns about the facilities' effects on groundwater, surface water, air pollution from diesel generators and gas plants, and noise impacts on human health, noting a current lack of specific regulations.
Marta Johnson, a legislative and political organizer with Sierra Club Michigan, emphasized the need for legislative action. Chris Gilmer-Hill of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition reported a growing consensus among lawmakers for new regulations, with some echoing a grassroots call for a moratorium on data center construction.
While state rules already touch the industry, such as the Michigan Public Service Commission's 2025 rate structure requiring long-term power contracts and infrastructure payments from data centers in Consumers Energy's territory, advocates believe more comprehensive action is needed. Additionally, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer previously urged data center companies to adopt a 10-point pledge on environmental permits and costs and called on the Legislature to codify these safeguards. There is bipartisan support for regulation, and lawmakers are collaborating on a bill to repeal state sales tax breaks for data center equipment.