Detroit Metro Times: “Benson Takes on Data Center Boom with Stricter Safeguards”
“Benson said projects that fail to meet those standards would not be allowed to operate in Michigan”
New reporting from the Detroit Metro Times details Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson’s “strict” guardrails that will ensure transparency and local involvement in projects, keep energy costs low for communities, protect Michigan’s natural resources, and require union labor.
As governor, Jocelyn will implement checks and guardrails to shape projects and ensure a transparent process approving any new projects. With clear standards and enforceable requirements, Michigan can invest in growing the jobs of the future while embracing opportunities to support our clean-energy and power grid buildout. Jocelyn has been clear: Data centers and corporations that violate these guardrails will not be able to operate in Michigan.
In case you missed it…
Detroit Metro News: Benson takes on data center boom with stricter safeguards
[Steve Neavling, 03/22/2026]
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson is rolling out a plan to impose strict new safeguards on data centers in Michigan to address concerns over rising energy costs, environmental impacts, and transparency.
[...]
Benson, the secretary of state and Democratic frontrunner for governor, first announced the plan to Metro Times. She said Michigan should only allow data centers under strict conditions that protect residents and the environment.
The centers must “improve and deliver prosperity, well-paying union jobs, and affordable, low energy costs for our residents,” Benson’s campaign said.
Her proposal would set enforceable conditions to avoid the kinds of problems that have prompted opposition to similar projects nationwide.
Those requirements include:
Mandatory public hearings before any project is approved
Full transparency and disclosure to prevent backroom deals
Proof, before construction, that projects will not harm natural resources or increase energy costs
A requirement that data centers — not ratepayers — cover the cost of increased energy demand
Union labor agreements to ensure well-paying jobs
Benson said projects that fail to meet those standards would not be allowed to operate in Michigan.
[..]
A December poll by Progress Michigan found a majority of Michiganders oppose data centers because of concerns over rising utility bills, environmental impacts, and a lack of transparency.
Benson’s plan is aimed at addressing those issues.
[...]
Benson’s proposal is an attempt to strike a balance between attracting new jobs and protecting residents and communities from the potential costs and environmental impacts of large-scale data centers.
“Data centers and corporations that violate these guardrails will not be able to operate in Michigan,” Benson’s campaign said.
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