State Representative Jennifer Wortz has introduced a set of bills aimed at temporarily stopping the construction of new data centers in Michigan. The proposed legislation, House Bills 5594-5596, would impose a moratorium on building data centers until April 1, 2027. Wortz stated that this pause is intended to allow local communities more time to consider the impacts of such developments and ensure residents can express their concerns.
“Many rural communities just feel like they’re being invaded,” said Wortz (R-Quincy). “Endless solar panels, wind farms, battery storage facilities, and now data centers are being proposed, often with little to no local input and oversight. Data centers come with a lot of unique questions. Between the land being cleared for development, the demand for energy they will add to the grid, and the tremendous water usage, these projects could cost communities more than they are worth. I grew up on a farm, I own a farm, I’m a conservationist, and I understand the importance of proper land management. We can’t continue to allow our farmground and natural resources to be mindlessly destroyed.”
The bills were sponsored by Wortz along with Representatives Joseph Fox (R-Fremont) and Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City). If passed, they would establish the “Data Center Regulation Act,” which would prevent new data centers from obtaining state or local permits or beginning operations until April 2027.
Wortz pointed out recent events that highlight community concerns over large-scale data center projects. “Only a few weeks ago, a Michigan judge ruled that the residents of Saline Township were not able to intervene in the construction of a data center in their town,” Wortz said. “Hyperscale data centers are very large. The proposed data center in Saline will occupy 250 acres. A facility that size can only be built where large amounts of land, water, and power are available. The proposed data center in Saline Township would use 1,400 megawatts of electricity. That is equal to the same amount needed to power 1 million homes, or the entire city of Detroit. As technology continues to advance, data centers will be needed, and some townships will decide that it’s right for their people, but we need to give them more time to examine these challenges before plunging headfirst into hyperscale projects.”
The legislation has been sent to the House Committee on Government Operations for further review.
