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Data centers face growing resistance from Michigan communities

On Thursday, the Michigan Public Service Commission will consider fast-tracking approval for DTE Energy's $7 billion, 2.2-million-square-foot Project Stargate for OpenAI and Oracle in Saline Township, southeast Michigan.
Driven by artificial intelligence and cloud demand, Michigan attracts large data centers with state grants and tax breaks, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer praised the projects for promising jobs and economic development.
Analyses show Michigan, which has 59 data centers, faces rising energy costs; the Jack Kemp Foundation projects bills could increase from 25% to 70%, while Bloomberg News found a 267% local price surge.
Opponents have urged the Michigan Public Service Commission not to approve, while Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr., D‑Ypsilanti, proposed a bill last week to pull the Ypsilanti grant, and House Bill 5362 has bipartisan backing with 17 cosponsors.
Transparency concerns persist as proposed contracts include hundreds of redacted lines, while viral social media clips show resident activism and a 300,000-square-foot Ypsilanti Township center contrasts with 80,000-square-foot expansions.

Insights by Ground AI