A Tale Of Two Michigans — Solar vs. Data Center Battle Intensifies - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica highlights a growing conflict in Michigan between the development of large data centers and renewable energy projects, illustrating contrasting local and political responses. In Saline Township, a $7 billion data center intended to serve Meta faced local opposition and was initially rejected by the town government. However, powerful interests including Meta, OpenAI, Oracle, DTE Energy, and influential figures like real estate billionaire Stephen Ross, along with Michigan’s governor, pressured the community, leading to the overturning of the rejection amid fears of costly litigation. This case exemplifies how wealthy stakeholders and political leaders can override local resistance to large-scale data center projects. In contrast, a proposed 3-square-mile solar farm in Iosco Township, also intended to power a new Oracle data center, met similar local opposition but did not receive the same level of support from billionaires or the governor. Residents opposed the solar project citing concerns about government overreach, environmental impact, rural character, property values, and doubts about