Related Digital

Data Center Signal is tracking 101 clips about Related Digital data center developments across 6 states, including MI, WY, IL, AR, PA.

101Clips

6States

States

Topics

government80%

electricity79%

opposition72%

environmental70%

water58%

zoning46%

announcement38%

moratorium36%

legal29%

News ClipCNBC·Mount Joy, Lancaster County, PA

AI data centers are transforming rural land markets — and fueling a backlash$

AI data center growth is driving up rural land prices and sparking a backlash across the U.S., with communities concerned about environmental impacts, strain on infrastructure, and loss of farmland. This has led to protests and political actions, including a moratorium in New York and local opposition to projects like CoreWeave's in Pennsylvania and Oracle/OpenAI's in Michigan.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water moratorium

CoreWeave Meta Oracle OpenAI

9/6/2026

News ClipFree Malaysia Today·MI

Trump says AI data centre opponents want to be ‘backwards and poor’

Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized opposition to AI data centers, arguing they are essential for economic success, despite polls showing a majority of Americans oppose new facilities due to concerns over electricity bills and noise. The issue has emerged as a significant topic in the US midterm elections, with candidates across 18 states mentioning data centers in campaign ads. Notably, OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital are making a substantial investment in a hyperscale data center campus in Michigan.

opposition electricity environmental government announcement

OpenAI Oracle

8/31/2026

News ClipFrance 24·MI

Trump says AI data center opponents want to be 'backwards and poor'

Former US President Donald Trump criticized opponents of artificial intelligence data centers, arguing they would become "backwards and poor" and aid China. This comes as opposition to data centers, driven by concerns over energy consumption and rising electricity bills, has become a significant issue in the upcoming US midterm elections. Vice President JD Vance presented a more nuanced view, emphasizing the need for data centers to contribute to the power grid, while noting a $7 billion investment in a Michigan hyperscale data center campus.

opposition electricity government

OpenAI Oracle

8/31/2026

News ClipChicago Maroon·Chicago, Cook County, IL

South Side Residents Call on Mayor to “Reverse the Permits,” Stop Quantum Campus

South Side Chicago residents are actively opposing the proposed Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, fearing it will house a data center and cause negative environmental impacts. Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order strengthening data center regulations and calling for a moratorium, but residents are not satisfied with his stance on the specific project. Developers, Related Digital, had previously announced plans for a hyperscale data center on the site.

opposition environmental government electricity water moratorium

8/28/2026

News ClipThe Sun Times News·Washtenaw County, MI

Michigan Data Center Projects and Regulations Advance Across Multiple Townships

Data center developments advanced on multiple fronts in Michigan this week, including a major construction milestone and new emergency power procedures for The Barn data center in Saline Township. Pittsfield Township is considering new permanent zoning regulations, while Augusta Township saw a renewed recall effort against board members who approved a data center rezoning that voters later overturned. State-level legislative proposals and a statewide moratorium debate also highlight ongoing activity.

electricity zoning environmental government opposition moratorium water

Oracle

8/28/2026

News ClipGOLF.com·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI

This golf course’s new owners are building $16 billion data center next door

Related Digital, a data center developer, purchased Rustic Glen Golf Club in Saline, Michigan, adjacent to its $16 billion data center project, The Barn. The company assured the golf course will remain open, despite prior community concerns about data center noise, power, and water usage. The data center project, being built for OpenAI and Oracle, faced strong local opposition and a lawsuit over zoning before being approved.

zoning opposition legal environmental announcement government electricity water

OpenAI Oracle

8/24/2026

News ClipThe Sun Times News·Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, MI

Weekly Data Center Watch: Local Oversight Expands as Projects Move Forward

Ypsilanti Township enacted a 180-day moratorium on major electric utility facilities relevant to data centers, while the City of Ypsilanti considered new permanent data center regulations. Oracle's tax abatement application in Saline Township is under state review amid a legal challenge, and the City of Saline is pressing regulators on Related Digital's wastewater permit. Additionally, an Augusta Township recall effort failed, though voters had previously overturned a data center rezoning.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water moratorium legal

Oracle

8/21/2026

News Clip1:52CBS Detroit·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI

Data center developer purchases golf course in Saline Township

Related Digital, the developer of a controversial data center in Saline Township, Michigan, has purchased the Rustic Glen Golf Club. Despite community questions about the deal, the company plans to keep the golf course operating as usual for the foreseeable future, and current employees will retain their jobs.

announcement opposition

8/20/2026

News Clipcowboystatedaily.com·Lysite, Fremont County, WY

Plan For Data Center Puts Spotlight On Lax Fremont County Zoning Laws

A small data center project is emerging in eastern Fremont County, Wyoming, prompting local officials to consider developing specific zoning regulations for data centers in unincorporated areas. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing a request from ETC DC OpCo LLC to install natural gas-fired emergency generators for the facility. Currently, Fremont County has limited zoning laws, making data centers an 'allowable activity.'

zoning environmental electricity government announcement

8/19/2026

News ClipWEMU·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI

Saline wants answers from EGLE on proposed data center wastewater permit

The City of Saline is requesting more information from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) regarding a proposed wastewater discharge permit. This permit would allow the Oracle Data Center in Saline Township to discharge treated sanitary wastewater into the Saline River. EGLE is currently accepting public comments on the proposed permit.

environmental water government

Oracle

8/19/2026

News ClipShoreline Media Group·MI

Michigan data center development, energy demands, and local regulation examined

Michigan is experiencing a surge in data center development, driven by AI and cloud computing, leading to increased electricity, water, and land use concerns. This has prompted local communities to consider new zoning regulations and moratoriums while the state works to attract the industry through tax incentives. A significant hyperscale project involving Related Digital, Oracle, and OpenAI is underway in Saline Township.

electricity environmental zoning moratorium government water

Oracle OpenAI

8/18/2026

News ClipChicago Reader·Chicago, Cook County, IL

South siders call for Mayor Brandon Johnson to ‘revoke the permits’ for a controversial quantum computing facility

South Chicago residents demanded Mayor Brandon Johnson revoke permits for the Quantum Shore development, which includes a controversial data center. Mayor Johnson responded by signing an executive order for new data center regulations and proposed a moratorium on new data centers in Chicago. The development's status remains contested, with developers and community groups disagreeing on its future.

opposition moratorium environmental electricity water zoning government announcement

8/17/2026

News ClipChicago Tribune·Chicago, Cook County, IL

Mayor Brandon Johnson pressured by anti-data center activists at rally

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faced pressure from anti-data center activists at a rally on the South Side, who expressed dissatisfaction with his stance on the "Quantum Shore" development. While the Mayor signed an executive order to strictly regulate data center construction and called for a moratorium, activists demand a halt to the project, despite a developer's commitment not to build a data center in the first phase. The project, championed by Governor JB Pritzker, includes anchor tenants IBM and PsiQuantum, and is set to bring significant economic impact to the city.

opposition government environmental electricity water moratorium

IBM

8/17/2026

News ClipBlock Club Chicago·Chicago, Cook County, IL

Mayor's Support For Quantum Campus Irks Some South Siders: 'Shut It Down, Mayor Johnson'

Mayor Brandon Johnson faced strong opposition at a town hall meeting in South Chicago regarding his support for the Quantum Shore megadevelopment, which includes a hyperscale data center. Residents called for permits to be reversed, citing environmental concerns and potential utility cost increases. Johnson reiterated his call for a moratorium on new data centers and highlighted an executive order strengthening regulatory processes.

opposition environmental government moratorium electricity

IBM

8/17/2026

News ClipThe Sun Times News·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI

Saline Township Selects Retired Sergeant for Zoning Role

Saline Township has appointed retired Saline Police Department sergeant Chris Boulter as its new zoning administrator and code enforcement officer. The appointment follows months of searching for a suitable candidate for the role. The article also notes that funding for Saline Area Fire Department equipment and farmland preservation comes from a data center consent judgment involving Related Digital.

zoning government

8/15/2026

News ClipPlanet Detroit·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI

Environmental groups, Nessel make arguments in appeal of DTE Energy's Saline Township data center contracts

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and several environmental groups are appealing the Michigan Public Service Commission's conditional approval of energy contracts between DTE Energy and the Stargate data center developers. They argue the approval process lacked public scrutiny and transparency, potentially leading to increased costs for Michigan ratepayers. The appeal seeks to invalidate the contracts and force a contested case proceeding.

opposition environmental government legal electricity

OpenAI Oracle

8/12/2026

News ClipBlock Club Chicago·Chicago, Cook County, IL

Data Centers Are Popping Up Everywhere In Chicago. Here's Where — And Why They're Controversial

Chicago is rapidly becoming a major hub for data center development, but this growth is sparking controversy due to concerns over high electricity and water consumption, noise, and tax incentives. Mayor Brandon Johnson has issued an executive order imposing new rules and reviews on data centers, while the state of Illinois is also considering regulations and recently paused tax incentives. Opposition is forming against some proposed projects.

electricity water government moratorium opposition environmental

8/12/2026

News ClipGillette News Record·Cheyenne, Laramie County, WY

Data center developers talk water, energy use and more in Cheyenne forum

Data center developers and local utility officials addressed community concerns at a Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The discussion focused on the impacts of the growing data center industry, particularly regarding water use, electricity costs, and environmental effects. Companies highlighted new technologies to reduce water consumption and committed to paying for necessary infrastructure investments.

water electricity environmental

Meta Microsoft

8/10/2026

News ClipWyomingNews.com·Cheyenne, Laramie County, WY

Data center developers talk water, energy use and more in forum

Data center developers and utility officials addressed community concerns in Cheyenne, Wyoming, regarding water usage, electricity costs, and environmental impacts. Companies like Related Digital, Meta, and Microsoft detailed their efforts to reduce water consumption and mitigate environmental footprints, while Black Hills Energy clarified that data centers pay for necessary grid infrastructure. The forum aimed to provide accurate information amidst growing data center development in the area.

water electricity environmental

Meta Microsoft

8/7/2026

News ClipThe Detroit News·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI

Nessel wants to hold PSC 'accountable' in fight against data center

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and several environmental groups have filed arguments with the Michigan Court of Appeals, challenging the Michigan Public Service Commission's (MPSC) approval of contracts between DTE Energy Co. and data center developers. Nessel argues the MPSC failed to properly scrutinize the deal for a hyperscale data center in Saline Township, which she believes could harm Michigan residents and utility customers. The opposition seeks to invalidate the MPSC's approval of power contracts for the facility being built by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital.

electricity government environmental legal opposition

OpenAI Oracle

8/7/2026