Bridge Listens: What Michigan’s next governor plans for data centers, clean energy
Michigan gubernatorial candidates are discussing their approaches to data center development in the state, acknowledging concerns about their impact on land, water, and the electrical grid. While candidates agree on the need for accountability, their positions vary on enforcement, local control, and the continuation of state tax breaks. One Republican candidate proposed a one-year moratorium on data center construction.
Michigan's leading gubernatorial candidates have articulated their stances on the burgeoning data center industry, which has grown following state-approved tax breaks in 2024. The debate centers on whether the economic benefits of these facilities outweigh their impacts on land, water, and the electrical grid.
All responding candidates expressed the need for accountability measures, with bipartisan support for limiting water and resource usage and preventing increased electricity rates for residents. However, approaches to enforcement and local control differ. Republican candidate Nesbitt advocated for a ban on data center subsidies, while James suggested tying incentives to measurable public benefits like job creation and infrastructure responsibility.
Another Republican, Cox, emphasized that local community control should be decisive in data center placement, allowing local opposition to halt projects. Rebandt, a Republican, proposed a one-year moratorium on construction until specific demands, including a ban on non-disclosure agreements, are met. Democratic candidate Benson called for public hearings to address resident concerns, while Swanson, also a Democrat, proposed requiring data center operators to fund infrastructure upgrades and establish escrow accounts to prevent project abandonment.
This discussion highlights data centers as a significant issue for the 2026 election, with candidates from both parties acknowledging the industry's challenges and proposing various regulatory and oversight changes.