Data Center Signal is tracking 115 clips about Related Digital data center developments across 6 states, including MI, WY, IL, TX, AR.
Residents of Saline Township are opposing a wastewater discharge permit for an OpenAI and Oracle data center campus under construction near the Saline River. They want independent, real-time monitoring and broader consideration of cumulative watershed impacts before Michigan regulators decide on the permit.
Saline Township residents are complaining about speeding construction traffic and other impacts tied to the Oracle and OpenAI data center being built along U.S. 12. The article also covers opposition and funding uncertainty surrounding a University of Michigan computing facility, proposed data center rules in Lyndon Township, and approval of Google's site plan in Van Buren Township.
Michigan residents and local officials are expressing concerns about the electricity, water use, land consumption, noise and costs associated with new AI data centers. The article highlights the Stargate Michigan project in Saline Township, developed by OpenAI, Oracle, Related Digital and Walbridge, while describing broader calls for stricter oversight and possible moratoriums.
Cheyenne and Laramie County residents are protesting proposed industrial developments, including data centers, but local officials say property-rights protections and due-process requirements limit their ability to deny compliant projects. Officials cite economic benefits, existing regulations and infrastructure payments, while residents remain concerned about community character, views and rapid growth.
Related Companies, NextEra Energy Resources and Lewis Energy Group are developing Project Star, a $22 billion energy infrastructure campus and data center project in Encinal, Texas. A 6.47-gigawatt gas-fired power plant will primarily serve Related Digital’s adjacent 5-gigawatt data center campus, with operations expected to begin in 2029.
DTE Energy said it expects to announce additional agreements with data center developers by the end of the year, following approved power contracts for large facilities in Saline Township and Van Buren Township. Environmental groups fear the projects will increase electricity costs, water demand and reliance on natural gas, while DTE and business groups argue new gas plants are needed for overall grid reliability.
Data center development has become a significant issue in Michigan's U.S. Senate race, with candidates Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed both expressing support for moratoriums amid widespread voter opposition. Concerns include impacts on utility bills and water resources, with specific projects in townships like Saline and Ypsilanti drawing local scrutiny. Both candidates' financial ties to companies involved in data centers are under review.
This article, an opinion piece, argues that while data center development is inevitable, communities should not be exploited by developers using "shady deals." It highlights concerns over environmental impact, job promises, and tax abatements, citing examples like Janesville, WI, and Saline, MI, where a developer sued the township after a zoning denial to force approval.
Drone footage shows significant progress on "The Barn," Michigan's largest data center, a $16 billion project by developer Related Digital for Oracle and OpenAI near Saline. Construction company Walbridge has surpassed 1 million work hours, with two of the three massive buildings partially framed and roofed. The campus will include data center buildings, warehouses, and electrical substations.
Ypsilanti City Council is taking more time to develop permanent data center regulations, considering noise, water, and energy use standards. Over 30 Michigan organizations are advocating for greater transparency regarding state tax incentives for data centers. The U.S. House has approved legislation that would require state utility regulators to consider standards for large data centers to pay the full incremental costs of electric infrastructure.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has scheduled a virtual public hearing on October 21 for a proposed wastewater discharge permit for the Related Digital data center in Saline Township. This permit would allow treated wastewater from the facility to be discharged into the Saline River. The public hearing will include a presentation, Q&A, and an opportunity for formal comments.
Google has taken over a $17 billion data center project in Laramie County, Wyoming, from Crusoe Energy, scaling back the 700-acre Project Tembo slightly. The company is seeking a conditional use permit and site plan approval for a new office complex and plans to begin site development by the end of the year, with full operation by 2031. Google is addressing community concerns regarding water usage, electricity, and environmental impact.
The Laramie County Planning Commission approved Google's conditional use permit for an office building to support its $17 billion Project Tembo data center in south Laramie County. Google is now the lead owner and operator of the project, formerly Project Jade, taking over from Crusoe, and has revised the site plan to be slightly smaller.
Google has taken over the $17 billion Project Tembo data center campus in Laramie County, Wyoming, from Crusoe Energy. The 700-acre project near Cheyenne will feature four data centers, a logistics center, and a Google office building, with partial operation slated for 2028 and full completion by 2031. Google is currently seeking a conditional use permit and site plan approval for its office complex from Laramie County.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.