It’s a big week for Michigan’s Data Center Resistance — and you can help!

Meet us in Lansing on Tuesday!

This week is a make-or-break moment in Michigan’s fight against the Big Tech data center rush. Community pressure is already bending the process — and what happens in the next few days will determine whether our water, our energy bills, and our climate future are protected or quietly traded away. There’s a clear way to show up:

📣 Join Us in Lansing

🗓 Tuesday, December 16
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Michigan State Capitol

And help spread the word so no one can say they didn’t know what was at stake.

At the core of this fight is a straightforward ask: Michigan needs to slow down and do this right. That means ending special tax breaks for Big Tech data centers, pausing new projects until their environmental, economic, and public health impacts are fully studied, and ending backroom deals by requiring full public hearings at the MPSC. It also means standing with local governments and townships that choose to say no, instead of allowing them to be pressured, threatened with lawsuits or overridden.

“DTE claims it is being transparent about its contract for the proposed data center in Saline, but anyone who has seen their extensive redactions would likely disagree.” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sounded the alarm, calling attention to the staggering lack of regulation and transparency surrounding this particular deal. To underscore the point, Nessel shared this video of the contract submitted for the Saline data center — a wall of black bars pretending to be a public document. Michiganders are being asked to trust what they’re not allowed to see. This isn’t openness. It’s the Epstein files with a utility logo slapped on. 👇

There are serious financial red flags, too. For instance, Oracle is one of the most heavily indebted tech companies in the country, with credit agencies flagging it as high-risk and major analysts warning that its debt is moving into dangerous territory. At the same time, Oracle is building massive infrastructure largely on speculation for a single customer, OpenAI, which is not reliably profitable. The contracts do not clearly explain what happens if that gamble fails — leaving Michigan ratepayers exposed.

The rush to approve these projects only underscores why scrutiny matters. DTE has admitted the urgency is about “capturing demand,” meaning that demand isn’t actually secure. If a project can’t withstand public review, it’s not ready to reshape Michigan’s energy grid. Regulated utilities are supposed to manage risk for the public, not shift it onto communities. DTE is telling investors the Dec 18 vote for the Saline Center is already in the bag even as thousands ask for scrutiny.

(Attend that MPSC meeting or watch it in real time as commissioners consider approval of the DTE data center: go.mi.gov/anw2h1547)

This week matters. Showing up matters. Speaking out matters. Across Michigan, residents have packed town halls to push back against Big Tech data centers — and it’s working. We’ve tracked nearly 20 proposed sites statewide, and the message has been loud and consistent: decisions this big don’t belong behind closed doors. Tomorrow is our moment to stand together, demand transparency, and make it clear that Michigan’s future is not for sale — and Big Tech doesn’t get a free pass at our expense.

*Dress warm tomorrow! Lansing’s looking at about 32°, so layer up and come ready to stand together.

---

Get social with us! Follow us on FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM or TikTok so you won’t miss any important news!

Get the latest political news, action alerts, and updates on the fights that matter all in one place. Whether it’s calling out corruption, learning about Michigan’s ballot initiatives (plus where to sign or volunteer), or finding a protest near you, our app makes it easy to plug in and show up.

👉 Click to download the Distill App in the App Store or Google Play. Let’s stay informed together.