Overview
- At Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills on Oct. 27, the Michigan Public Service Commission took testimony on long‑term utility planning as protesters pressed for strict limits on data centers.
- The MPSC is collecting public input on integrated resource planning through Oct. 31 and plans to set requirements for utilities’ long‑range plans on Nov. 14.
- Chair Dan Scripps said the Legislature has not given the commission authority to regulate water use tied to data centers, though 2023 clean‑energy laws require consideration of equity, environmental justice, affordability and public health.
- Environmental advocates warned that large facilities could deplete aquifers, heat and pollute surface waters with contaminants like PFAS, and urged utilities to plan within water limits.
- Residents and advocacy groups cautioned that data centers could raise electric bills and complicate Michigan’s 2040 clean‑energy target, citing Bloomberg reporting of steep local price spikes near data‑center hubs and pointing to a Consumers Energy case expected to address cost protections utility by utility.