Delta County Planning Commission approves data center moratorium
The Delta County Planning Commission has approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center and cryptocurrency mining construction within the county. This pause will allow the commission time to develop ordinances addressing community concerns about these evolving technologies and their potential impacts. Public feedback is welcomed during this period.
The Delta County Planning Commission recently approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center and cryptocurrency mining construction across the county. The decision was made during a Monday night meeting, following public questions and concerns regarding the future technologies.
TV6's Escanaba bureau reporter Dan Howell covered the meeting, where the commission passed a resolution to enact the year-long moratorium. The purpose of this temporary halt is to provide the commission with an opportunity to craft potential ordinances. These ordinances aim to specifically address the community's concerns about the positive and negative impacts of these new, evolving technologies.
During the public comment session, resident Stephanie Sampson, accompanied by her three-month-old baby girl Zelle, expressed strong opposition, stating, "I don't want a data center in our county at all." She further argued that the financial benefits for the county do not outweigh the potential drawbacks, suggesting there are many other ways to bring money into the community. Sampson also voiced concerns that once a data center is constructed, it may be nearly impossible to remove.
Commissioners acknowledged the public's concerns and stated that they hear and welcome continued feedback over the coming year as they work on developing the appropriate regulations.