Tech Giants’ $7B Michigan Data Center Exposes Risky Energy Gamble and Community Overreach

Michigan’s announcement of its first-ever hyperscale data center—a massive $7 billion project led by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital—seems like a win for economic growth on paper. But scratch beneath the surface, and troubling questions emerge about the wisdom of Washington-style corporate giveaways that could jeopardize everyday families and local sovereignty. Is Michigan Trading Long-Term Stability for Short-Term Promises? This sprawling data center campus will demand an unprecedented 1.4 gigawatts of power—enough to increase DTE Energy’s load by a staggering 25%. To meet this surge, utilities plan new natural gas plants even as Michigan pushes ambitious climate goals. Here lies...