Michigan Data Center Intel

Recent Michigan data center news

• Mar 16, 2026

  How much do DTE, Consumers customers pay in utility profits? 

  The Energy & Policy Institute released a report and online calculator showing DTE Energy and Consumers Energy customers pay larger-than-average shares of monthly bills toward utility profits.

  • Key findings: EPI estimates a DTE customer with a $150 monthly electric bill pays 16.7% ($25.05) toward utility profits and a Consumers Energy customer pays 13.9% ($20.82); EPI calculated a 12.8% average of investor-owned utility revenues going to profits (2021–2024) and ranks DTE 33rd, Consumers 52nd out of 110 utilities.
  • Context and next steps: The piece cites supporting analysis and data sources (SEC, FERC, EPI), references related coverage (Grist, Canary Media), notes the MPSC sets returns on equity and lists MPSC meetings March 27, 2026 and April 17, 2026; it also flags related local actions (a proposed 100-megawatt Gibraltar data center, a Gibraltar City Council one-year moratorium, and an Ann Arbor municipal utility ballot effort) and states DTE plans to file a rate hike around April 27.
• Mar 16, 2026

  Washington Township attorney says data centers bring ‘strong possibility’ of litigation: Zoning decision postponed to June

  Washington Township postponed Prologis’ rezoning request to the June 11 planning commission meeting while the township reviews and considers amendments to zoning ordinances related to data centers and large industrial uses.

  • Main action: Washington Township Board of Trustees directed the planning commission to review zoning ordinances related to data centers and other large industrial uses; the Prologis rezoning request for a 312-acre site on the south side of 32 Mile Road between M-53 and Powell Road was postponed to June 11. Prologis previously submitted and then withdrew a conditional rezoning application in November and is now requesting a straight rezoning to an Industrial – Research – Technology district; after rezoning, Prologis would need a special land use approval to build a data center.

  • Background & process details: A memo from Kayla Mauldin (Spalding DeDecker) cites the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act limiting total prohibition of land uses but allowing reasonable restrictions; the township outlined a 5-step amendment process (initiation, research/draft, public hearing, planning commission recommendation, board consideration). The Prologis petition includes a five-year reversion clause if development is not completed within five years of site-plan approval.

• Mar 16, 2026

  Turning Off the Tap: The Case for Seawater Cooling in Data Centers

  The article explains that seawater can be used to cool data centers through multiple technical approaches and that the primary barrier to wider adoption is cost rather than feasibility.

  • Main point: The article outlines multiple concrete seawater-cooling approaches — Wet Surface Air Cooling (WSAC) (saltwater sprayed over pipes, with periodic fresh-water cleaning), closed-loop direct-to-chip systems (saltwater circulated in sealed pipes), air exchangers (cold seawater in pipes with air blown over them), and salt-filtered evaporative systems (research into nanofibers for desalination). It cites Google’s Hamina, Finland data center and Microsoft’s Project Natick as real-world examples.
  • Background/details: Adoption is limited by financial costs (higher-capital cooling infrastructure) rather than fundamental technological barriers; additional facts include the risk of salt deposition on evaporative membranes, the need for periodic cleaning with fresh water, and rising incentives due to increasing water demand from new facilities and energy-hungry AI workloads and growing public concern over freshwater impacts.
• Mar 16, 2026

  Data center news: Saline residents blast Oracle data center construction

  City officials in Saline have met with contractors and pledged additional traffic enforcement over gravel truck impacts tied to Oracle/OpenAI data center construction.

  • Main action: Saline officials met with contractor Walbridge and pledged additional traffic enforcement to address complaints about speeding gravel trucks, noise, dust, and road damage; an Oracle/OpenAI spokesperson said “gravel deliveries should wind down by early spring.” Key named parties: Oracle, OpenAI, Walbridge, Saline Mayor Brian Marl.
  • Background and related details: The piece aggregates multiple developments: a Pew Research Center survey (8,512 adults) showing growing negative public views on data centers’ environmental and quality-of-life impacts; University of Michigan researchers released a planning guide advising municipalities on zoning and state oversight (noise, light, placement, water/electricity regulation); the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) faced public criticism over an approved $7-billion Oracle data center in Saline Township.

  Event: Demystifying Data Centers townhall

  • Date & time: March 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Howell
  • Agenda / subject: panel on environmental impacts, consumer protection, labor, municipal effects, and AI legislation (hosted by Michigan AG Dana Nessel and State Rep. Jennifer Conlin).
• Mar 12, 2026

  DOE Unveils Initiative to Add 5 GW of Nuclear Capacity Through Uprates and Restarts

  The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the Utility Power Reactor Incremental Scaling Effort (UPRISE) to accelerate nuclear uprates, restarts, and life extensions with targets of 2.5 GW by 2027 and 5 GW by 2029.

  • Main announcement/action:UPRISE unveiled March 12 will focus on power uprates, license renewals, restarts, and plant efficiency optimization, delivering 2.5 GW by 2027 and 5 GW by 2029 through targeted technical support to owners and the NRC, matchmaking workshops between plants and large end-users, and expanded use of federal loan authority to de‑risk investments.
  • Background and concrete details: DOE/EDF provide financial and program support including EDF loan authority > $289 billion (can fund up to 80% of eligible project costs); specific restart loans include a $1.52 billion DOE loan guarantee for Palisades (800 MW, Holtec targeting 2026) and a $1 billion DOE loan for Crane (Constellation’s ~ $1.6 billion restart, 835 MW, possible 2027 online under a Microsoft contract); Duane Arnold is a candidate for restart targeting ~2029 with a PPA announced by NextEra/Google; NEI and NRC pipeline data cited (NEI: >8 GWe potential from fleet; NRC: ~30 expected uprates through 2030 representing ~2.5 GWe).
• Mar 12, 2026

  Gibraltar data center could support DTE grid with diesel generators: Developer

  The Gibraltar City Council passed a one-year data center moratorium applying to Raeden’s proposed 100 MW data center.

  • Moratorium and project details: The Gibraltar City Council approved a one-year data center moratorium that applies to Raeden’s proposed 100 MW data center at the former McLouth Steel site (moratorium allows waiver requests). Raeden COO Jason Green said the company may seek a waiver or ask the council to rescind the moratorium; Green estimated investment up to $2 billion, planned 30–35 diesel backup generators, and projected 60–100 permanent jobs and 500–700 construction jobs.
  • Context, timeline and technical details: A town hall was held Wednesday night (reported March 11, 2026) where residents raised concerns about air quality, electricity bills, and impacts to Humbug Marsh; Raeden proposed using an adjacent Superfund property for potential natural gas generation, and Michigan regulators (MPSC) are required to file a data center tariff (utility tariff not yet filed). DTE said Raeden has proposed ideas but the utility cannot comment at this time.
• Mar 12, 2026

  Fossil generation could rise with faster-than-expected growth in data center power demand

  The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) published an analysis showing that faster-than-expected electricity demand growth driven by data centers could increase natural gas and coal generation and raise wholesale electricity prices.

  • Main analysis and assumptions: The EIA produced a high demand growth scenario in which 2026 and 2027 growth rates are 50% higher than the February STEO in data-center-heavy regions, while other regions are +1 percentage point above STEO; the scenario assumes no additional generating capacity beyond the February STEO and applies an assumed +$0.50/MMBtu increase in natural gas delivered prices across regions.
  • Key modeled outcomes and metrics: Under the scenario, natural gas generation rises to +7.3% (123 BkWh) between 2025–2027 (vs 1.7% baseline), coal generation declines by 5.0% (37 BkWh) nationwide in the high case, and ERCOT 2027 wholesale prices model +$37/MWh above the February STEO (excluding ERCOT the average 2027 wholesale price is +$2.10/MWh above the STEO forecast of $48/MWh).
• Mar 12, 2026

  Drivers wonder if they should go electric as the war spikes gas prices

  The article reports that rising gasoline prices tied to the Iran war are increasing U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs).

  • Main finding: Rising gasoline prices (national average $3.57/gal, up from $2.94/gal a month earlier) and concerns about price volatility are driving greater consumer consideration of hybrids and EVs; Edmunds found electrified-vehicle research rose to 22.4% of vehicle research activity in the week starting March 2 (from 20.7% the prior week).
  • Background and details:Residential electricity prices are generally regulated and less volatile (experts: Erich Muehlegger, Pierpaolo Cazzola); electricity costs can still rise (contributors include surging demand from new data centers and broader inflationary pressures noted by Holt Edwards). The article also cites average new EV price $55,300 vs average new vehicle $49,353 (Kelley Blue Book) and discusses supply-chain concerns tied to China.
• Mar 11, 2026

  Gibraltar passes data center moratorium: Facility proposed at former McLouth Steel site

  Gibraltar City Council passed a one-year moratorium on data center development.

  • Main action: The Gibraltar City Council enacted a one-year moratorium that is a “blanket prohibition” on the establishment, use, and approval of data centers in the city effective immediately; the moratorium pauses approvals while the city develops planning standards and allows for possible waivers under its text.

    • Project targeted: Raeden has proposed a 100-megawatt data center at the former McLouth Steel Superfund site (27800 W. Jefferson Ave) and submitted a site plan for planning commission review. The company proposes natural gas generation at the adjacent Superfund parcel, a closed-loop cooling system using up to 600 gallons of water per day, and a facility employment range of 60–200 people.

  • Background & next steps: The moratorium was passed amid local opposition and an upcoming public engagement:

    • Community meeting: Mar 11, 2026 — 5:30 PM (Raeden town hall) at Gil Talbert Community Center (community meeting scheduled 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.; protest by Indivisible: Downriver United 734 at 4:30 PM).
    • The site is adjacent to an EPA-listed Superfund property and near Humbug Marsh/Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge; opponents cite concerns about higher electric bills, water and wildlife impacts, and potential additional fossil-fuel generation under Michigan’s renewable energy law waiver provisions.
• Mar 10, 2026

  VOICES: Protecting what we love in the age of AI

  A bipartisan group of Michigan leaders introduced legislation to pause new data center construction until spring 2027.

  • Primary action: The bill would stop the construction of new data centers until spring 2027, and at least 27 Michigan cities and townships have already halted new data center approvals as local moratoria. The proposal has prompted similar legislative proposals in Wisconsin (including calls for a statewide pause building off local moratoria in Madison).
  • Background and related measures:Michigan Green Muslims and Wisconsin Green Muslims are working on community resilience projects (e.g., greening schoolyards and mosques to reduce runoff and cooling); Michigan lawmakers are also considering a package of bills to make water more affordable for ordinary residents. The University of Wisconsin-Madison program Preparing Religious Environmental Plans is visiting the Great Lakes this month to share disaster preparedness and greening practices.