‘No secret deals’: Saline Township data center plan sparks protests, calls for transparency
SALINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Saline Township is divided over a proposed data center powered by DTE Energy. Many residents say they were caught off guard by the plan and worry it is moving forward without enough public discussion.
A crowd gathered to protest outside DTE’s headquarters in Detroit, making it clear they do not want the data center in their community.
Data center plans are expanding in Michigan, but local residents feel blindsided. “Oh, we were ran over by a truck,” said Tammie Bruneau, a Saline Township resident.
The proposed multi-billion-dollar data center would cover 250 acres and be powered by DTE Energy. Residents are pushing back strongly.
“Data center tyranny ends with us,” protesters declared.
The Michigan Public Service Commission will make the final decision on the project. Groups like the Michigan League of Conservation Voters are calling for transparency and public input.
Bruneau expressed uncertainty about the process. “This isn’t the end of this for our little township, so what’s the next step? Because that’s the scariest part about this. We don’t even know.”
The project has major backers, including billionaire Stephen Ross and tech giants Oracle and OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT.
Chris Kobus, an engineering professor at Oakland University, said projects like this are necessary for the future of technology.
“Right now, Michigan is falling behind other states like Ohio and Illinois that are welcoming these multi-billion-dollar investments into their communities,” Kobus said.
Kobus acknowledged that cooling data centers is a challenge, but noted Michigan’s abundant water resources make it a prime location.
“This water isn’t just used and thrown away; it’s recirculated over and over again, pretty similar to the water you have in the engine of your car,” he explained.
However, protesters disagree, saying the environmental impact is too large to ignore.
“You can say it’s closed loop, but in Augusta Township alone it was going to be a million gallons a day,” said Wendy Albers of Augusta Township.
DTE, Oracle, and OpenAI were contacted for comment, but have not responded.
The Michigan Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Residents can join via Microsoft Teams or by phone, by dialing 1-248-509-0316 and entering the conference ID 593258092# when prompted, to share their input on DTE Electric Co.’s application for approval of contracts with a data center customer in Washtenaw County.
For more information, visit the Michigan Public Service Commission’s official news release.
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