<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3pb9zT_1GoKr64m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3pb9zT_1GoKr64m00" width="2000" height="1500" >Data Center Watch: Electricity costs, campaign finance lawsuits and local opposition put utilities and developers under scrutiny.Michigan’s data center debate is becoming a fight over more than electricity.This week, Attorney General Dana Nessel challenged another set of DTE Energy contracts, Michigan’s largest utilities sued over voter-approved campaign finance restrictions, and a township near Lansing opposed a proposed $10 billion development.Who Pays for the Power?On Oct. 30, Nessel asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to reconsider its approval of DTE’s electricity contracts for Google’s proposed data center in Van Buren Township.Nessel argues the agreements do not adequately protect existing customers from costs associated with the development. Her petition questions projected long-term benefits when other customers could face expenses between 2035 and 2038.She is seeking stronger financial guarantees, annual accounting of costs and benefits, and further review of transmission expenses.The commission maintains the contracts protect existing customers. DTE projects approximately $1.7 billion in benefits over 20 years.The dispute also reaches Washtenaw County.Nessel’s filing raises concerns about transmission costs associated with DTE’s contracts for the Oracle and OpenAI data center under construction in Saline Township. Her office is separately appealing approval of those agreements.Neither challenge has overturned the contracts.The legal fight could continue under new leadership. Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit won Tuesday’s election to succeed Nessel, who is term-limited.Savit has said he intends to continue Nessel’s work representing utility customers before state regulators, although he has not specifically addressed the Saline Township appeal.Utilities Challenge Voters’ DecisionMichigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 2 on Tuesday, restricting political contributions from regulated utilities, major state contractors and certain individuals connected to them.Two days later, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the restrictions.Michigan already prohibits direct corporate contributions to candidates. The new measure extends restrictions to certain utility executives, board members, major owners and their immediate families. It also affects employee-funded political action committees.The utilities argue the law violates constitutional protections for free speech and association, including the rights of individuals contributing their own money.A separate lawsuit filed Nov. 3 by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy challenges expanded disclosure requirements for political communications, arguing they could affect nonprofit organizations and independent journalists.Supporters say Proposal 2 is intended to reduce corporate influence over elected officials. Maura Cowley, campaign manager for Michiganders for Money Out of Politics, said the legal challenges were expected and expressed confidence the measure would withstand them.The proposal does not prohibit all corporate political spending, including contributions to independent expenditure committees.Neither lawsuit directly affects data center regulation, but both come as DTE faces scrutiny over major energy decisions affecting communities such as Saline Township.Delhi Township Opposes DevelopmentNear Lansing, Delhi Township trustees voted 6-0 on Oct. 30 to oppose a proposed $10 billion data center on 423 acres near Holt.The project, introduced by Lighthouse Sustainability and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, included a proposed $20 million community benefits fund. Township officials said they had not been consulted before the announcement.Lighthouse Sustainability CEO Gary Dorris told Lansing City Pulse that the company had not decided whether to abandon the proposal.Delhi already has a data center moratorium, and the property would require rezoning. The township’s resolution does not prohibit a future application.In Washtenaw County, construction continues in Saline Township as questions about electricity costs, utility oversight and local authority remain unresolved.</div></body>

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Data Center Watch: Electricity costs, campaign finance lawsuits and local opposition put utilities and developers under scrutiny. Michigan’s data center debate is becoming a fight over more than electricity. This week, Attorney General Dana Nessel challenged another set of DTE Energy contracts, Michigan’s largest utilities sued over voter-approved campaign...

Power Struggles Shape Michigan’s Data Center Debate

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Data Center Watch: Electricity costs, campaign finance lawsuits and local opposition put utilities and developers under scrutiny. Michigan’s data center de

Power Struggles Shape Michigan’s Data Center Debate

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