Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Advocates held a “Rally Against Data Centers” ahead of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) hearing as the commission considers important new rules related to data centers and how Michigan utilities plan their energy builds. The new rules will shape the next 20 of Michigan’s energy planning, and will affect affordability for families, water and environmental safety, and how utilities meet energy demand as more data centers are built in Michigan.
Bryan Smigielski, Michigan Campaign Organizer for Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“We assembled because our communities have begun to understand the existential threat that data centers pose to our neighborhoods, our economy, energy bills, water and climate. We can’t trust corporate greed and speculative AI-driven industrial expansion to safeguard our future. Michigan community members and students marched from the rally straight into the commission hearing to make our demands known: We must rapidly establish the most proactive safeguards possible. If we accept unchecked data center growth, we risk soaring bills, stranded infrastructure, depleted aquifers and derailing a much-needed clean energy transition. It’s time for real accountability— the MPSC must require utilities to factor energy burden data into their IRPs, plan transparently with and without massive data center load, factor in water limits and protect Michiganders first.”
The MPSC will accept public comments until October 31st. The MPSC will then make a decision on November 14th.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.