State Representative Jennife Wortz has introduced a plan to temporarily stop new data center construction across Michigan. House Bills 5594 through 5596 would put a moratorium on building the facilities until April 1st, 2027.
Wortz said the goal is to give communities more time to understand the impact of data centers before they are built.
She said that many rural areas feel “invaded” by large development projects like data centers, solar farms, and wind turbines, often with little local input.
In a statement, Wortz said lawmakers “Can’t continue to allow Michigan’s farm ground and natural resources to be mindlessly destroyed.”
She emphasized concerns about land clearing, increased energy demand, and significant water usage associated with data centers.
The proposed “Data Center Regulation Act” would prevent new facilities from getting state or local permits during the moratorium. Wortz pointed to a recent court case where residents were unable to block the construction of a large data center, which she said highlights the need for communities to have more time to examine the projects. The bills have been sent to the House Committee on Government Operations.