Take Action AI Data Centers in your community

Saline’s “Project Stargate” $7B hyperscale AI development, by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital, has requested an “ex parte” order on the permits for this facility from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

Basically: they want to skip public hearings and due diligence and have MPSC rubber stamp the permits. Because progress.

This matters to ALL communities battling data centers across the state now, and in the future. We MUST not allow data center developers to set the precedent of skipping public hearings. Even Michigan’s Attorney General is urging residents to submit their comments to MPSC, and to urge them to deny the ex parte order. 

Action 1: Attend MPSC’s Public Hearing on the issue of Saline / Project Stargate’s ex parte order, being held virtually on December 3rd at 6:30pm.

Participants can attend online here.

Action 2: Michigan residents should also submit written public comment on the Saline project, and the developer’s request to expedite the permits.

Public comment can be made:

• online through MPSC’s portal here
• via email at mpscedockets@michigan.gov
• via snail mail to 7109 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI 48917

Letters and emails must reference case number U-21990.

The more closely you work with your local township and county boards to bulwark against AI data centers, the higher your odds will be of success. These projects could be brewing in your own community; the only way to find out is to attend local meetings, and to open up a regular dialogue with your local supervisors, chairs, commissioners, and trustees.

The only way to protect our communities is to steward them. Consider running for township or county offices.

There are a few notable meetings coming up in our AI data center communities:

• December 8th: Howell Township Board meeting, where rezoning of VanGilden land for an unknown developer will be up for a vote.
• December 8th: Lowell Township public hearing on rezoning of land for AI data center

• Connect with local residents who oppose the project; form working groups on social media and private networks.
• Speak with all your elected officials, from your township to Washington DC.
• Speak with experts–on fire, public health, biology, soil, economics, real estate, zoning and enlist their expert opinions.
• Speak with local public health and safety leaders–Fire Chiefs, Sheriffs, School Boards, Health and Human Services Directors–and express your concerns.
• Host town hall meetings with your neighbors; invite guest speakers.
• Collectively decide on a path of action. 
• Develop informational one-pagers and other resources to share; include actions people can take.
• Reach out to local media, and consider writing an op-ed to a local or state newspaper.
• Connect with other communities fighting similar battles; share best practices.

Ask Michigan’s Governor, House, and Senate to ban data centers in Michigan!

While this is not necessarily a well-rounded policy proposal, what it does is show the sheer volume of Michiganders who are opposed to AI data center development in our farms, backyards, and  Great Lakes. And THAT is a message worth sending.