Michigan Residents and Lawmakers Challenge Approval of Massive 1.4GW Stargate Data Center December 4, 2025 A major data center project in Michigan, part of the high-profile Stargate initiative backed by OpenAI and Oracle, is facing escalating opposition from local residents and state politicians, highlighting the growing tensions as AI-driven infrastructure expands into new communities. The controversy centers on a planned 250-acre, 1.4-gigawatt campus in Saline Township, developed by Related Digital. After the township initially rejected the proposal in August, the developer filed a lawsuit alleging exclusionary zoning. A settlement was reached in October, allowing the project to proceed subject to certain conditions. With local approval secured, the focus has now shifted to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), which must decide whether to approve a "special contract" for electric service between the data center and utility DTE Electric. Hundreds of residents participated in a virtual public hearing on the matter this week, with further involvement planned for the MPSC's regular meeting. The opposition has evolved from grassroots organizing to formal political action. A group of 23 Michigan State Representatives recently sent a co-signed letter to the MPSC chair, urging the regulator to conduct a full 'contested hearing' rather than a fast-tracked process. They argue that a more thorough review is in the public interest, stating it would "give ratepayers the opportunity to directly challenge the information provided by DTE." This clash in Michigan reflects a broader national trend where soaring demand for computing power is pushing data center development beyond traditional hubs, raising widespread concerns about impacts on local utility rates, environmental resources, and the transparency of the planning process itself. Source: datacenterdynamics
Michigan Residents and Lawmakers Challenge Approval of Massive 1.4GW Stargate Data Center
