Residents Oppose Environmental Risks from Proposed Data Center in Saline Township

Residents and environmental groups are raising significant alarms over a proposed $7 billion, 2.2-million-square-foot data center in Saline Township, known as Project Stargate. According to the Detroit Metro Times, the project is backed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, OpenAI, Oracle, and developer Related Digital, and would require as much electricity as nearly one million homes.

Critics argue that the development threatens local wetlands, strains Michigan's energy grid, and could harm local ecosystems, including habitats for endangered species like the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and the Indiana bat.

Environmental advocates have pointed out issues with the developers' wetlands permit application, highlighting incorrect information and vague mitigation plans. The Michigan Public Service Commission is under pressure to scrutinize DTE Energy's request to fast-track power contracts essential for the facility, with over 5,000 public comments submitted, primarily in opposition.

Attorney General Dana Nessel has urged the commission to treat the case as contested, emphasizing the need for public hearings on the potential costs and environmental impacts. The urgency is further underscored by preliminary construction activity, which has already caused local disruptions.

As the state grapples with the balance between technological growth and environmental preservation, local residents like Tim Bruneau and Beth Foley express deep concerns about the project's long-term implications for their community and future generations.

The stakes surrounding the project continue to rise as more voices join the call for accountability and transparency in the decision-making process regarding such large-scale developments.