What was said about data centers in Michigan
187 statements from 90 speakers, grouped by who spoke. Each appears as said, with the date and the source. No verdict is attached.
From June 16, 2026 to October 1, 2026. Statements from every state are on Statements.
Data center companies 6
Developers, operators and builders of data centers and the technology companies that fill them, speaking through their staff and spokespeople. Every state.
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Oracle Vice President Beatrice Fullan said more than $150 million annually would come to Saline Township and the surrounding area
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Natalie Ravitz, Related Companies spokesperson
Related Companies says Friedrichs received zero commission from the Related Digital data center project and is no longer working on Michigan projects as of March 2026.
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Hyperscale Data Inc
Management does not plan to recommend sale below 750 million dollars
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Steve Ceccio, project lead, said the primary purpose of the Ypsilanti facility would be to continue classified work Los Alamos has already been doing, including research on nuclear weapons
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Hyperscale Data will continue cryptocurrency mining at its Montana site
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Related Digital committed to keeping Rustic Glen Golf Club open to public play
Government 51
Officials in office, lawmakers, regulators, public agencies and courts, federal, state, tribal and local. Every state.
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U.S. Representative
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D Ann Arbor, released a proposed federal data center Bill of Rights outlining protections for large scale projects
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Debbie Dingell, U.S. Representative
Framework calls for residential electric, gas and water customers to be protected from data center related rate increases for the life of a facility
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Debbie Dingell, U.S. Representative
Framework calls for data centers to pay infrastructure costs tied to development, including energy generation, transmission and distribution, water, roads and environmental impacts
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Stephanie Leiser, Director of Center for Local, State and Urban Policy
Stronger opposition to data centers in rural Michigan communities than urban areas
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Stephanie Leiser, Director of Center for Local, State and Urban Policy
Most elected officials surveyed have hesitations or skepticism about new data center proposals
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Democratic leader, Michigan state Senate
Winnie Brinks, Democratic leader of the Michigan state Senate, expressed openness on September 28 to considering a moratorium on new data center developments
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Representative, D-St. Joseph
Rep. Joey Andrews, D St. Joseph, said he is not surprised that local officials have soured on data centers.
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State Rep. Joey Andrews said he does not support a moratorium and believes guardrail bills in good shape can be passed to regulate data centers
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State Rep. (D-St. Joseph)
State Rep. Joey Andrews said he opposes a moratorium and prefers guardrail bills, expecting data center regulations to move in the legislature by next year.
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Governor of Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer in July asked data center companies to sign a 10 point pledge on costs, environmental permits and hiring, and called on Legislature to write guardrails into law
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Congressional Research Service
Data center cooling systems use chemical treatments including acids, disinfectants, biocides, corrosion inhibitors and dispersants, which may be released into wetlands or streams.
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Congressional Research Service
Wastewater discharges from data centers may contain pollutants such as copper, nickel and chromium from metal pipe corrosion.
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U.S. Representative
Dingell said the project warrants additional scrutiny due to site's environmental history and asked for details on remaining contamination, monitoring, restrictions, permits and cleanup responsibility
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U.S. Representative
Dingell demanded EPA and Michigan EGLE establish current environmental status of Textile Road site and clarify regulatory responsibility
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U.S. Representative
Dingell called for state and federal rules governing large computing facilities including protections for utility customers, public reporting of water and electricity demand, environmental reviews and enforceable community benefit agreements
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Jocelyn Benson, Democratic Secretary of State, emphasized importance of local control, as well as establishing guardrails to address concerns about privacy and environmental harms of data centers and artificial intelligence
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U.S. Representative
Dingell questioned promised $300 million contribution from Los Alamos and whether federal money has been appropriated or federally committed
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U.S. Representative (D-MI) and Don Davis, U.S. Representative (D-NC)
Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (D MI) and Don Davis (D NC) held a press conference on data center tax incentives outside the Capitol
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John James, Republican U.S. Rep., said both he and Benson emphasized importance of local control and guardrails to address concerns about privacy and environmental harms of data centers and artificial intelligence
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Michigan Governor
Gretchen Whitmer has championed the data center and likened Michigan's AI investments to propping up a new version of Michigan's auto industry
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Michigan Congressman and Republican
John James, a congressman and Republican, supports a moratorium on the construction of new data centers in Michigan
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U.S. Representative
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell expressed opposition to University of Michigan's proposed data center with Los Alamos National Laboratory at Textile Road site in Ypsilanti Township
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U.S. Representative
Dingell called for University and Los Alamos to disclose details of their agreement and federal funding commitments for a project involving more than one billion dollars
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U.S. Representative
Rep. Dingell opposes building the Los Alamos research computing center at the Textile Road site in Ypsilanti Township
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U.S. Representative (D-Michigan)
Rep. Haley Stevens said higher electricity bills should not fall on communities as data centers expand
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John Vercher, City Council Member
Anti data center activists have been attending City Council meetings
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Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall expressed interest in taking up some data center regulations
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Michigan Economic Development Corporation will not disclose which companies apply for data center tax incentives, citing confidentiality
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Michigan Attorney General
Attorney General Dana Nessel seeks 90 percent minimum billing demand instead of 80 percent for Google data center contracts
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Council Secretary, Warren City Council
Council Secretary Mindy Moore raised concerns about potential strain large data centers could place on Warren's electrical infrastructure after severe storms in July knocked down more than 60 power lines
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Jeff Schroeder, Attorney hired by Warren City Council
Warren's current zoning ordinance does not specifically address data centers, which could limit the city's ability to regulate proposed projects
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President Trump said: If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame, regarding data centers
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President
Trump called Gov. Abbott's decision to pause data center development a mistake
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Michigan State Senator
Senator Runestad says repealing tax credits and disclosure restrictions would undermine data center development in Michigan
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President Trump claimed that China 'could not be happier with this anti data center movement'
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President Donald Trump argued on Truth Social that communities rejecting data centers would end up being backwards and poor
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Michigan House Representative
Andrews said repealing the bill would send a chilling effect on data center development and a bad message to economic developers
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Michigan House Representative
Rep. Joey Andrews said keeping information from the public was done to protect trade secrets and national security
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President Donald Trump argued that communities should embrace data centers and warned that widespread opposition could put the United States at a competitive disadvantage with China
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U.S. President
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Aug. 31, 2026: 'The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor.'
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Michigan House of Representatives
Rep. Steve Carra stated that hyperscale data centers are an existential threat and may cause the extermination of humanity if not carefully managed
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U.S. Representative (R-MI)
Rep. Tom Barrett voted against subsidizing a data facility in Grand Rapids in 2015
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U.S. Representative (R-MI)
Barrett supported One Big Beautiful Bill Act which extended corporate tax benefits for AI companies including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Nvidia
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U.S. Representative (R-MI)
Barrett backed SPEED Act permitting bill that would reduce federal environmental reviews for data centers
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Representative
Rep. Tom Barrett is leading the No Data Center NDAs Act to prohibit members of Congress from signing non disclosure agreements about data centers
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Representative
Rep. Tom Barrett is leading the Protecting Local Control of Data Centers Act to prohibit federal agencies from overriding local authority to reject data centers
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Marshall City Councilmember
Hackworth stated that threatening violence is not activism, distinguishing it from legitimate democratic disagreement and protest
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Marshall City Councilmember
Councilmember James Hackworth said council members received a legitimate death threat
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Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo says residents and officials will continue to fight the project and are optimistic about stopping it given that other communities have stopped data centers
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Ypsilanti Township Attorney Doug Winters says township will not negotiate with U M and Los Alamos over the project and their only goal is for them to leave
Chief executives 9
Chief executives, presidents, founders and chairs of companies, in technology, data centers, power and elsewhere. Every state.
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Joi Harris, DTE Energy president and CEO, said the plan would be $3.5 billion less expensive than the company's previous IRP from 2022
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Milton Ault III, Executive Chairman, Hyperscale Data
Hyperscale Data is separating bitcoin mining operations in Montana from Michigan AI data center operations.
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Milton Todd Ault III, Executive Chairman of Hyperscale Data
Company believes separation would improve transparency and position Michigan facility to operate as standalone AI data center
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Milton Todd Ault III, Executive Chairman of Hyperscale Data
Hyperscale Data intends to form Patriot BTC subsidiary to hold cryptocurrency mining operations, Montana data center, Bitcoin miners and related infrastructure
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Joi Harris, DTE Energy CEO
DTE Energy has 2.4 gigawatts of executed agreements with hyperscalers including a 1.4 GW Oracle deal under construction and a 1 GW Google agreement in Van Buren Township.
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DTE Energy CEO
CEO Joi Harris said signing 3 GW of contracts unlocks 8%-plus EPS growth.
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Joi Harris, DTE Energy CEO
DTE Energy has another five to six gigawatts of pipeline with two gigawatts in advanced discussions targeting a signed contract by year end.
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William Horne, Hyperscale Data CEO, said the facility is being prepared for AI usage and customer deployment.
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Hyperscale Data Chief Executive Officer
CEO William Horne said the transition to AI data center operations will allow focus on the facility's preparation for customer usage
Utilities and grid operators 1
Electric utilities, cooperatives and the operators of the power grid, and the people who speak for them. Every state.
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Consumers Energy representatives stated that data centers would not automatically increase electricity rates for nearby residents, as utility rates are subject to state regulatory approval
Candidates and campaigns 48
People running for office, their campaigns and their parties. A candidate who does not hold the office is not an official. Every state.
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Michigan congressional candidate
Will Lawrence, Democrat running for Michigan's Lansing area Seventh Congressional District, focuses campaign on data centers and affordability
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U.S. House member and gubernatorial candidate
John James, Republican gubernatorial candidate for Michigan, voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which included tax write offs for infrastructure and equipment investments that data center companies are eligible to claim, totaling approximately $69.78 billion in tax breaks to Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and Oracle in 2025.
Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: John James voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.
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gubernatorial candidate
John James said he supports a moratorium on new data centers until additional regulations are established and stated his moratorium would require re establishing local control, ensuring no utility rate increases, and protecting water, air, land and noise from pollution.
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Michigan gubernatorial candidate
Jocelyn Benson's husband, Ryan Friedrichs, earned $370,000 in 2025 as an employee of Related Companies, which is developing the Saline Township data center.
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Democratic nominee for Michigan's 7th Congressional District
Lawrence's campaign criticized U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R Charlotte) for voting in favor of House version of One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included 10 year moratorium on state governments regulating artificial intelligence models and systems
Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: Tom Barrett voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.
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gubernatorial candidate
John James received more than $100,000 in political contributions from donors with data center ties, including members of the Rakolta family who founded Walbridge, the construction company contracted to build the hyperscale data center in Saline.
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Republican nominee for U.S. Senate
Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers called for a one year moratorium on new data centers
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Democratic nominee for Governor of Michigan
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson called for a moratorium on new data center projects and ending tax breaks for developments
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Republican gubernatorial nominee
John James said his moratorium is event based, not time based, during a virtual press conference after the Detroit Economic Club event
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Congressional candidate
Will Lawrence, progressive Democrat, opposing data center projects in Michigan's 7th Congressional District
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Democratic congressional nominee
Lawrence proposes a national jobs program funded through a tax on AI industry profits to offset job market changes from AI.
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Democratic congressional nominee
William Lawrence, Democratic nominee for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, announced plan to pause data center and advanced AI development and establish a national AI compact.
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Democratic congressional nominee
Lawrence's plan calls for pausing data center development and setting environmental protections around data centers.
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Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District
Lawrence's plan calls for data center construction by union labor, with zoning buffers, environmental standards, an end to tax giveaways, and compensation for communities that do agree to take on a data center project.
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Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District
Will Lawrence proposed a federal moratorium on data center development and a national AI compact with environmental protections, safety requirements, and a national jobs program funded by AI industry profits tax.
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Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District
Lawrence proposed a New Deal style national jobs program funded by a tax on AI profits and tech billionaire wealth.
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U.S. House candidate (D-MI)
U.S. House candidate Will Lawrence held press conference on artificial intelligence and data centers.
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Jason Roe, Tom Barrett campaign strategist
Tom Barrett introduced legislation barring AI from making determinations on medical treatment necessity and ensuring human oversight over autonomous and AI enabled weapon systems.
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Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District
Lawrence proposed a federal moratorium on the development of advanced AI models themselves.
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Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate
Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic candidate for governor, stated at the Detroit Economic Club on September 16, 2026 that data centers cannot be sited at the expense of privacy, rights, and environment, and pledged to create an online portal for residents to track data center projects.
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U.S. Congressman and Republican gubernatorial candidate
Congressman John James stated at the Detroit Economic Club on September 16, 2026 via Zoom that he supports local control over data center decisions, opposes state level bans and mandates, and suggested AI companies proceed carefully regarding surveillance.
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Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for governor
Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee for governor and the most likely politician to replace her next year, now supports a moratorium on the construction of new data centers in Michigan
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2026 Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for Michigan
El Sayed calls for state and local moratorium on data centers until conditions are met
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2026 Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for Michigan
Abdul El Sayed states his conditions for University of Michigan data center: all union labor, no utility rate increases, no water use, revenue investment in reliability, and community benefits agreement
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Michigan Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate
Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial nominee, discussed her thoughts on data center development
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Republican Senate nominee in Michigan
Mike Rogers outlined a one year moratorium, arguing that Michigan needs stronger guardrails to protect community control, prevent utility price hikes, protect our water, and stop pay to play schemes
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Democratic candidate
Lawrence said: I signed the AI Pact because Michiganders shouldn't have to pay the price for a technology built to enrich Silicon Valley billionaires and the politicians cashing the checks
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Democratic candidate
Lawrence said: Data center developers have spent nearly $1 million to elect Tom Barrett, and it shows
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Democratic candidate
Lawrence said: Americans have always had a healthy skepticism of concentrated power, and it's time for our elected leaders to step up and hold AI companies and data center developers accountable
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In Ohio's Senate race, the National Republican Senatorial Committee warned that data centers could help Democrats flip the seat, noting more than any other thing in this race, data centers are the anchor hanging around Husted's neck
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GOP gubernatorial nominee
Rep. Byron Donalds introduced legislation requiring large AI data centers to generate their own power and water rather than draw from public utilities
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Will Lawrence, Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, signed The AI Pact in August
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Democratic candidate for governor, Michigan
Democratic candidate for governor Jocelyn Benson has called for a moratorium and claims to be the only candidate who will hold data centers accountable.
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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Michigan
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El Sayed of Ann Arbor has been a vocal critic of data center projects.
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Michigan Democratic Senate candidate
Michigan Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El Sayed criticized lack of transparency from Big Tech corporations on data center buildout
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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Michigan
Abdul El Sayed stated there is no real regulation of data centers and corporations are so deep in the pockets of politicians who should regulate them
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Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Michigan
Mike Rogers told NewsNation there is so much concern out there with Michigan citizens and argued we need to address issues before data centers eat away at farmland
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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Michigan
Democrat Abdul El Sayed has advocated for strict federal guidelines for data center facilities but has stopped short of calling for a ban
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Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Michigan
Mike Rogers stated we need to take a pause and make sure we are answering all questions about data centers
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Republican Michigan Senate candidate
Republican Mike Rogers backs data center moratorium in Michigan
Business groups and unions 1
Chambers of commerce, trade associations and labor unions. Every state.
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Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Holcomb opposes moratorium, saying delay would hurt communities and stunt progression
Advocates and residents 35
Advocacy and community groups on every side, residents, neighbors and people speaking at public meetings. Every state.
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Bryan Smigielski
Sierra Club of Michigan said Oracle, building a mega data center in Saline Township, is rated BBB minus, just above junk bonds
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Bryan Smigielski, Sierra Club of Michigan, said the planned power plants will likely serve electricity requirements of data centers and called for transparent modeling of future energy needs with and without data centers
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Bryan Smigielski
Sierra Club of Michigan asked Michigan Public Service Commission to require DTE to model future energy needs with no data centers and compare to future energy needs including data centers
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Marta Johnson, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter legislative organizer, called for a moratorium on new data center projects and said bills are stalled in committee.
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Sierra Club of Michigan and Clean Water Action (organizations, not named individuals)
Environmental groups including Sierra Club of Michigan and Clean Water Action said regulation is increasingly needed but isn't happening.
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Marta Johnson, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter legislative organizer, said the group would like to see lawmakers put a moratorium on data center projects while policymakers figure out how to respond
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Michigan environmental advocates
Michigan environmental groups gathered in Lansing to call for a moratorium on new data center projects
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Michigan environmental advocates
Environmental advocates expressed concerns about hyperscale data centers' use of water and energy and tech companies' influence over communities
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software engineer and activist
Kendell Joseph, software engineer and Voters Not Politicians member, stated data center regulation requires interdisciplinary conversation with engineers, utilities, contractors, developers, business owners, environmental experts, local officials and community members.
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Sierra Club Michigan
Marta Johnson said the groups want to protect groundwater and surface water and guard against pollution and noise from data center generators
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Environmental groups spent Tuesday at Michigan Capitol pressing lawmakers to regulate data centers, expressing concern about facilities' effects on water, air and health of nearby communities
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Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
Chris Gilmer Hill said there is a real and growing consensus on data center regulation and more top officials are echoing the grassroots call for a moratorium
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Marta Johnson, legislative and political organizer with Sierra Club Michigan; Chris Gilmer-Hill, Michigan Environmental
Environmental groups met with Michigan lawmakers on Tuesday pressing for data center regulations, citing concerns about water, air, pollution from diesel generators and gas plants, and noise affecting human health
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Reese Dillard, Michigan Environmental Council water policy coordinator
Stormwater runoff at data center sites contains particulates harmful to the public and the ecosystem.
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Reese Dillard, Michigan Environmental Council water policy coordinator
Data centers use large amounts of water for cooling, with some drawn from municipal systems, treated wastewater or directly from surface or groundwater.
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30+ Michigan environmental and community organizations
More than 30 Michigan environmental, clean energy and community organizations called for public disclosure of data center sales and use tax exemptions on Sept. 17.
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Residents argued a data center proposal in Lyon Township was too close to schools and too close to the community.
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legislative and political organizer, Sierra Club Michigan
Marta Johnson, legislative and political organizer for Sierra Club Michigan, said that a moratorium is a critical piece in addressing Michiganders concerns around data centers
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Hazleton protesters
Protesters rallied in Hazleton, Pennsylvania on August 12 calling on Rep. Rob Bresnahan to oppose data center expansion and reject Big Tech contributions.
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policy manager, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
Chris Gilmer Hill, policy manager for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, noted how a lack of strict regulation on data centers in other states had contributed to pollution in Black and working class neighborhoods
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New York City protesters
More than 300 people rallied in front of Palantir office in New York City on August 12 calling on Congress to oppose the company.
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Clean Water Action, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
Sierra Club Michigan, Clean Water Action and Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition held press conference on Sept. 9 to push for moratorium and regulations
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Young people protesters
Young people in Union County, New Jersey marched on August 13 to protest Rep. Tom Kean Jr. for accepting thousands of dollars from Big Tech AI firms.
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Ypsilanti-area residents
Residents spoke against a proposed University of Michigan data and research center during a town hall meeting
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Environmental Protection Network issued AI data center report detailing Trump administration actions that could increase pollution related health risks
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Chris Gilmer Hill, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, raises concerns about tax incentives for data centers not being enforced
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Michigan Sierra Club
Sierra Club member Marta Johnson says rapid development of data centers is threat to Michigan communities, ratepayers and natural resources
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Sierra Club Michigan, Clean Water Action, Michigan Climate Action Network
Environmental groups demand moratorium on new data center projects until regulations and environmental safeguards are in place
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Lenox Township residents are demanding transparency from local leaders about data centers
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The AI Pact organization
The AI Pact requires pledging to support policies that would ban tax breaks, backroom deals, and excessive energy usage for data centers
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Saline Township resident
Timothy from Saline Township stated strong opposition to AI in all its forms and called data centers a waste of resources
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York Township resident
Mike MacDonald from York Township expressed concern about the massive use of rural land and unknown water and electricity draw from data centers
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Ypsilanti Township officials and residents say they were blindsided by the announcement
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Unnamed resident/activist
Unnamed resident claims developers are trying to buy support for a data center that would destroy farmland and community, and that the Lenox board is participating in illegal activities
Researchers and analysts 21
Universities, research institutes, think tanks, pollsters, economists and consultants. Every state.
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director, University of Michigan Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy
Stephanie Leiser, director of U M center, quoted on rural communities and data center targeting.
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Los Alamos National Laboratory Director
Los Alamos Director Thom Mason said the center would not produce weapons or use or store nuclear materials and some computer modeling could help assess the safety and reliability of the nation's existing nuclear stockpile
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Unnamed experts
Experts warn of a global surge in PFAS production driven by AI and data centers.
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Steve Ceccio, mechanical engineering professor and data center project lead
Environmental impact studies have not been completed at this point
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Steve Ceccio is mechanical engineering professor and data center project lead
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Bloomberg Law survey (June 2026)
Around one third of large law firms now have a team or practice group specializing in data centers.
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University of Michigan stated the computing center remains in the design phase and water needs and noise levels have not been determined
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Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos officials said no weapons, plutonium or hazardous materials would be produced or stored at the facility
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Paul Brown, University Regent, alleged the University's actions resemble environmental racism and that representatives have not conducted themselves appropriately
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Thomas Mason, Los Alamos Director, stated nuclear materials would be absent from the site and no plutonium or other nuclear or hazardous materials would be produced, used, or stored
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Jean Hardy, Michigan State University Associate Professor with the Department of Media and Information, said a data center proposal to Ionia, if it came, would be many years out and is unlikely
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Michigan State University Associate Professor
Jean Hardy noted that Ionia has existing water capacity, including infrastructure from the former correctional facility, which could potentially be repurposed for a data center if one came to the area
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University of Michigan vice president for Government Relations
Chris Kolb, the U of M vice president for Government Relations, said the university is working with the local community
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University of Michigan interim vice president for Research and Innovation
Patricia Hurn, U of M interim vice president for Research and Innovation, spoke about the project
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Jeff Guilfoyle, senior strategist with Public Sector Consultants
There is currently no specific data center proposal for Saginaw
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senior scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
Dylan Spaulding, senior scientist at the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the amount of classified research the facility could be doing is unusual
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president, EPIC-MRA
EPIC MRA president Bernie Porn described 73% opposition to federal tax incentives as a flashing red sign to policymakers
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Oakland University engineering professor
Chris Kobus noted that Michigan has perfect conditions for data centers including power infrastructure, cooling infrastructure with water availability, and internet backbone
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Oakland University engineering professor
Chris Kobus, engineering professor at Oakland University, said there has been an explosion of activism against data centers in Michigan this calendar year
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University of Michigan Regent
Regent Paul Brown calls on University of Michigan to pause the Los Alamos supercomputer data center project
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University of Michigan Regent
Brown says the university moved forward without community input, raising concerns about transparency and accountability
Other voices 15
Journalists, lawyers, former officials, and speakers the source describes in words that name none of the groups above. Every state.
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Bridge Michigan
Jocelyn Benson has proposed a moratorium on new data centers.
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Bridge Michigan
James voted for an earlier House version of the Big Beautiful Bill that included a section called the Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology Modernization Initiative, which would have barred state and local jurisdictions from creating laws to regulate data centers.
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Bridge Michigan
John James, Republican gubernatorial candidate, received more than $100,000 in campaign donations from donors with data center ties across multiple election cycles dating back to 2018.
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Kendell Joseph, software engineer and Voters Not Politicians member, said regulating AI requires conversation with engineers, utilities, contractors, developers, business owners, environmental experts, local officials and community members
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Will Lawrence campaign (reporting on Tom Barrett's vote)
Tom Barrett voted in favor of the House version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included a 10 year moratorium on state governments regulating AI models and systems.
Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: Tom Barrett voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.
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Authors (reporting consensus)
Majority of Americans oppose data centers and Democratic and Republican candidates are being forced to take a stand.
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Stephanie Jordan and Mary Armas
More than 1,000 activists across the country participated in dozens of rallies and protests in August demanding elected officials dump Big Tech and data center developers.
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attorney
Laura Sheets has brought four nuisance complaints against data centers in four states.
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land-use attorney
Jason Morris now spends about 70 percent of his time on data center projects, up from 10 percent previously.
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article author
Rep. Tom Barrett voted for Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included $83 billion in tax breaks for data centers
Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: Tom Barrett voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.
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article author
Barrett received thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Big Tech investors and corporate PACs for Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle
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Michigan Advance commentary author
Data centers produce very few permanent jobs
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Michigan communities
The moratoria reflect a demand for predictable, transparent siting standards on energy demand, water use, noise, traffic, and land use compatibility.
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Bridge Michigan reporting
Only one official, Elaine Ferris, will face a vote in November to remove her from office over data center votes.
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Jennifer Dukarski, Michigan Press Association general counsel, said the notice on the city's website is more concerning because it is more akin to an official policy rather than good faith communication.
The group comes from the words the source gives for the speaker; how the groups are read. Every statement on the record is in CSV and JSON, with its group and its state.
