State allowed Saline data center construction before final air quality permit approval
News ClipPlanet Detroit·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI·2/24/2026
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) granted a waiver to data center developer Related Digital to allow the installation of 15 diesel backup generators for Oracle and OpenAI's $7 billion data center project in Saline Township, Michigan, roughly three months before the final air quality permit was issued. The developer applied for the waiver in case it took extra time to receive the permit, but ultimately received the air permit relatively quickly. The Saline Township board also voted on the project.
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OracleOpenAI
Gov: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Saline Township board
Join more than 7,000+ of your neighbors who already receive our informative, independent reporting on climate, health and the environment in their inbox each week. Michigan regulators granted air and wetland permits for Oracle and OpenAI’s $7-billion Saline Township data center in January, al