Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging state regulators to reconsider their approval of special power contracts for a massive data center in Washtenaw County, citing risks to ratepayers and lack of public scrutiny.
Nessel's office filed a petition for rehearing with the Michigan Public Service Commission over its December decision to conditionally approve two special contracts sought by DTE Energy to serve the proposed 1.4-gigawatt hyperscale artificial intelligence data center in Saline Township. The project is expected to consume as much electricity as nearly one million homes, sparking concerns among residents, environmental advocates, and consumer watchdogs about long-term impacts on electric rates, grid reliability, and the environment.
Nessel's move pits her against Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a fellow Democrat who has publicly backed the data center as "the largest economic project in Michigan history." However, Nessel argues that the fast-tracked decision was irresponsible and cut corners, shutting out the public and their advocates.
The commission's order recognizes DTE's legal obligation to serve the data center while imposing conditions aimed at protecting ratepayers. However, Nessel questions whether these conditions are meaningful or enforceable, particularly given that large portions of the contracts remain heavily redacted, preventing outside parties from verifying DTE's claims about serving the data center without raising rates for existing customers.
Nessel is seeking clarification on how the conditions will protect ratepayers and objects to allowing DTE to serve as the project's financial backstop. She argues that this arrangement may expose consumers to higher costs, undermining the commission's authority to ensure they are adequately protected.
The controversy surrounding the data center has sparked a broader debate about Michigan's approach to fast-tracking energy-hungry data center projects tied to the AI boom. With at least 15 data center projects proposed across the state in the past year, Nessel's office is reviewing all potential options to defend energy customers and demanding further clarity on what protections have been put in place.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear whether the Michigan Public Service Commission will grant Nessel's request for a rehearing or stick with its original decision. However, one thing is certain: the fate of ratepayers and the environment hangs in the balance as the state grapples with the implications of this massive data center project.
Nessel's office filed a petition for rehearing with the Michigan Public Service Commission over its December decision to conditionally approve two special contracts sought by DTE Energy to serve the proposed 1.4-gigawatt hyperscale artificial intelligence data center in Saline Township. The project is expected to consume as much electricity as nearly one million homes, sparking concerns among residents, environmental advocates, and consumer watchdogs about long-term impacts on electric rates, grid reliability, and the environment.
Nessel's move pits her against Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a fellow Democrat who has publicly backed the data center as "the largest economic project in Michigan history." However, Nessel argues that the fast-tracked decision was irresponsible and cut corners, shutting out the public and their advocates.
The commission's order recognizes DTE's legal obligation to serve the data center while imposing conditions aimed at protecting ratepayers. However, Nessel questions whether these conditions are meaningful or enforceable, particularly given that large portions of the contracts remain heavily redacted, preventing outside parties from verifying DTE's claims about serving the data center without raising rates for existing customers.
Nessel is seeking clarification on how the conditions will protect ratepayers and objects to allowing DTE to serve as the project's financial backstop. She argues that this arrangement may expose consumers to higher costs, undermining the commission's authority to ensure they are adequately protected.
The controversy surrounding the data center has sparked a broader debate about Michigan's approach to fast-tracking energy-hungry data center projects tied to the AI boom. With at least 15 data center projects proposed across the state in the past year, Nessel's office is reviewing all potential options to defend energy customers and demanding further clarity on what protections have been put in place.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear whether the Michigan Public Service Commission will grant Nessel's request for a rehearing or stick with its original decision. However, one thing is certain: the fate of ratepayers and the environment hangs in the balance as the state grapples with the implications of this massive data center project.
I mean, 1.4 gigawatts of electricity is a lotta energy, and we're talking about an AI project that's basically gonna suck up as much power as nearly one million homes... what are they even thinking? 
And now our AG Dana Nessel is throwing shade on the whole thing, saying DTE Energy got away with some shady deals and didn't give enough info to the public 
. I'm not surprised though, we've seen this before - big corporations getting special treatment while regular folks are left in the dark 
.
? It's gotta be time for some serious scrutiny and oversight here 
. Our AG is right to push back on this, and I hope she gets a rehearing to make sure ratepayers are protected 
. We need more accountability in this state, especially when it comes to our energy infrastructure 
.
As someone who cares about these issues, it's frustrating to see how quickly decisions are being made without proper consideration for ratepayers.
. Where's the accountability when it comes to our state's regulatory bodies? Are they more interested in lining up votes and securing economic gains, rather than serving the people who elected them? 
. And Nessel's right to question whether these conditions are even meaningful or enforceable 
. I'm all about sustainability and looking out for ratepayers, you know? 
This project has some serious consequences for our environment and wallets 
!