DATA CENTERS

Michigan is experiencing a surge in data center development, attracting significant investment and raising both excitement and concerns. The state has enacted tax incentives to lure these facilities, but there are serious concerns about the potential impact on water resources, energy consumption, and utility costs for residents. 

Data centers present many problems:

• high energy consumption 

• high water consumption

• greenhouse gas emissions: pollution from power generation and the robust backup generators required

• electronic device waste. The rapid pace of technological upgrades in data centers leads to a large amount of electronic device waste, which can be difficult and harmful to dispose of.

• noise pollution

• sales tax exemptions divert money from schools

and challenges:

• subject to cybersecurity threats

• subject to power disruptions