Lansing Mayor Andy Schor releases letter in support of Deep Green data center

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor has publicly endorsed the proposed Deep Green data center in Lansing, Michigan, in a letter released Wednesday. Mayor Schor characterized the project as "sensible" and "responsible," highlighting its potential to generate revenue for the city and emphasizing its smaller scale compared to other data centers. The Mayor's support follows the Lansing planning commission's recent approval of rezoning for the facility. However, the project has encountered significant pushback from Lansing residents, who voiced concerns during a February city council meeting. In his letter, Schor directly addressed common criticisms, asserting that the data center would not consume excessive water, would not increase electric rates, and would financially benefit residents. Despite these assurances, residents like Michigan State University student Prayag Shankar expressed frustration that community input on crucial issues is often deferred until after key approvals like rezoning, diminishing public influence on the project's actual development.