ANN ARBOR, Mich. – DTE Energy is trying to fast-track approval for a massive new data center outside Ann Arbor, backed by billionaire Stephen Ross, Oracle, and the makers of ChatGPT.
The company wants to skip public hearings, claiming the project could lower customer bills even though it would use enough energy to power more than a million homes.
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DTE says the data center must have shovels in the ground by the start of the new year for Michigan and its customers to benefit.
They argue there was competition among states for this project, and speeding up the process makes sense to secure it.
However, some regulators and community members are urging caution.
Bryan Smigielski, who works on clean energy for the Sierra Club Michigan chapter, says this is a major project, larger than any seen in Michigan.
Smigielski points to 250 acres of farmland that could soon host a data center capable of producing more than a gigawatt of power.
DTE Energy would power 100% of the project’s campus, a joint endeavor involving OpenAI, Oracle, and related digital companies.
Smigielski says there are too many unknowns and calls for transparency in the approval process.
A DTE Energy spokesperson said there won’t be additional costs to customers and that service will be more reliable.
Smigielski called that optimistic, noting data centers built in other states have led to electricity bills doubling, increasing energy burdens.
The proposed data center would be located in the district of State Representative Morgan Foerman.
Foerman describes herself as “cautiously optimistic,” sharing concerns about the limited details available but also seeing potential benefits, such as job creation.
She has a message for data center proponents on behalf of her community: “Be prepared to answer questions.”
Foerman wants those questions addressed before any approval is granted. DTE Energy is pushing for a decision by Dec. 5.
The Michigan Public Service Commission will make the final decision, but no response has been received yet.
If approved, construction would begin early next year.