Michigan Data Center Intelligence Report

Breaking Intelligence: Meta Confirmed, Kalkaska Cancelled, 8.4 GW Pipeline Tracked as Michigan Becomes Data Center Battleground

Report Date: Friday, November 21, 2025

Report Date: Friday, November 21, 2025

Monitoring Period: Past week through current

Sources Searched: 22 systematic searches across PSC dockets, news, permits, government, and economic development

Total Pipeline Tracked: 8.4+ GW

🚨 CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTS - IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

MPSC Public Hearing - December 3, 2025

STATUS: SCHEDULEDLOCATION: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)TIME: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ESTCASE: U-21990 (DTE/Stargate Saline Township)

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel intervened to force this public hearing after DTE requested expedited approval without public scrutiny. Nessel called the rushed process "performative listening" and demanded a full contested case proceeding. Over 1,600 public comments filed as of Nov 18.

Join: Teams link or dial 248-509-0316, Conference ID: 593258092#

WHY THIS MATTERS: This is the first public opportunity to weigh in on Michigan's largest data center contract. DTE wants approval by Dec 5 to begin construction in early 2026. Failure to attend means forfeiting input on a 19-year, 1.4 GW contract that sets precedent for all future Michigan data centers.

🔴 RED ALERT (Level 4): CONFIRMED PROJECTS - 5+ Signals

Saline Township - Stargate Data Center

DEVELOPER: OpenAI, Oracle, Related DigitalLOCATION: Saline Township, Washtenaw County (250 acres)CAPACITY: 1.4 GWINVESTMENT: $7+ billionSTATUS: Active - Construction planned early 2026CASE NUMBER: MPSC U-21990

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY:

• Signal Count: 9+ (RED classification confirmed)

• Timeline: Settlement reached Oct 15, construction start early 2026

• Energy Source: DTE Energy - 100% of power, $2B battery storage (developer-funded)

• Jobs: 2,500 union construction, 450 permanent on-site, 1,500 county-wide

• Community Investment: $14M (fire departments, farmland preservation trust)

• Water System: Closed-loop cooling (comparable to office building usage)

• Legal Status: Lawsuit settled after township initially rejected 4-1

KEY ACTORS:

• Related Digital (Stephen M. Ross connection - Related Companies founder)

• Walbridge (General Contractor)

• DTE President/CEO Joi Harris

• Gov. Whitmer: "Largest one-time investment in state history"

WATCH POINTS:

• MPSC Dec 3 public hearing

• Environmental groups pushing for contested case

• Sierra Club, ELPC monitoring renewable energy compliance

• AG Nessel intervention for ratepayer protection

🟠 ORANGE ALERT (Level 3): STRONG SIGNALS - 3-4 Signals

Howell Township - Meta Data Center 🆕

DEVELOPER: Meta (Facebook/Instagram)LOCATION: Howell Township, Livingston County (1,000+ acres agricultural land)CAPACITY: UnknownINVESTMENT: $1 billion (estimated)STATUS: Planning Commission REJECTED - Board decision pending

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY:

• NEW DISCOVERY: Local trustee Bob Wilson confirmed Meta behind project (Nov 20)

• Public Opposition: Stop the Data Centers Livingston County organizing

• Planning Status: County Planning Commission rejected Nov 20, recommended township board reject

• Moratorium Proposed: Six-month pause for ordinance development

• Township Board Meeting: Nov 21 (today) - large crowd expected

• Tour: Officials visited New Albany, Ohio data center hub for research

CLASSIFICATION RATIONALE:

• Named developer (Meta) confirmed by elected official

• Active planning commission hearings

• Organized community opposition

• High investment threshold reached

WATCH POINTS:

• Tonight's township board vote

• Potential moratorium approval

• Meta's next legal/political moves

• Community organizing effectiveness

DTE Energy Additional Pipeline

DEVELOPER: Multiple unnamed clientsLOCATION: DTE territory (unspecified)CAPACITY: 3 GW (beyond Stargate)STATUS: Late-stage negotiations

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY:

• DTE CEO Joi Harris confirmed on Oct 30 earnings call

• "Late-stage negotiations for another 3 gigawatts' worth of data center capacity"

• Represents 2x the Stargate project capacity

• No locations or developers publicly disclosed

• Would bring DTE's total data center pipeline to 4.4+ GW

CLASSIFICATION RATIONALE:

• Official utility statement

• Late-stage negotiation status

• Specific capacity numbers disclosed

• CEO-level confirmation

Consumers Energy Data Center Pipeline

DEVELOPER: Multiple unnamed clientsLOCATION: Consumers territory (unspecified)CAPACITY: 2 GW across three facilitiesSTATUS: "Nearing deals"

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY:

• Consumers announced July 31: Agreement with one data center for "up to 1 GW"

• Three large data centers totaling collective 2 GW

• MPSC approved new tariff provisions Nov 6

• 15-year minimum contracts, 80% minimum billing, exit fees

• 100 MW minimum threshold for tariff application

• Consumers initially projected 15 GW in development pipeline

KEY REGULATORY FRAMEWORK APPROVED:

• Contract Term: 15 years minimum

• Ramp-up Period: Up to 5 years to reach full capacity

• Minimum Billing: 80% of forecasted demand regardless of usage

• Exit Fee: Monthly bill × remaining contract months

• Collateral: 50% of exit fee required

• Annual Reporting: Aggregated load, demand, capacity changes

WATCH POINTS:

• Identity of 1 GW "hyperscale" customer

• Two additional facilities yet to be announced

• Integrated Resource Plan filings for generation adequacy

🟡 YELLOW ALERT (Level 2): EARLY SIGNALS - 2 Signals

At Least 10 Michigan Communities Contacted

LOCATIONS: Various Lower Peninsula townshipsSTATUS: Various stages - confidential negotiations

CONFIRMED PUBLIC PROPOSALS:

1. Saline Township (RED - confirmed)

2. Howell Township (ORANGE - strong)

3. Kalkaska County (CANCELLED - see below)

4. Lansing (Deep Green - small facility)

5. Ypsilanti Township

6. Augusta Township (Thor Equities - 800 acres, local pushback)

7. Mason (proactive ordinance development)

8. Dundee Township, Monroe County (moratorium enacted)

9. Kalamazoo County (on hold after pushback)

10. Additional locations in confidential negotiation

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY:

• Bridge Michigan identified "at least 10 communities"

• Many approaches happen quietly before public disclosure

• Developers secure land and power before seeking zoning

• Pattern: Rural townships with agricultural land targeted

• Common developer strategy: Avoid areas with restrictive ordinances

❌ PROJECT CANCELLED / HALTED

Kalkaska County - Rocklocker Data Center

DEVELOPER: Rocklocker LLC (Matt Rine, geologist)LOCATION: Kalkaska Township (1,440 acres DNR land)CAPACITY: 1+ GWSTATUS: CANCELLED November 20, 2025 ⚠️

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY:

• BREAKING: Project halted Thursday Nov 20 after public opposition

• Proposed: Hyperscale data center with own natural gas plant

• Carbon capture/sequestration system (net-zero emissions goal)

• Air-cooled design using northern Michigan climate

• Closed-loop geothermal system

• Estimated $40M annual tax revenue

• Required legislative approval for DNR land sale

CANCELLATION TIMELINE:

• Sept 2025: Initial community outreach

• Nov 17: First public forum - overwhelmingly negative feedback

• Nov 18: DNR denied land purchase (July decision confirmed)

• Nov 19: Second forum scheduled for Nov 21

• Nov 20: Project cancelled

• Nov 21: Coldsprings Township meeting cancelled

STATED REASON: "Public input" - company heard community concerns and ended pursuit

ADDITIONAL CONTEXT: Rine cited "anonymous threats to Rocklocker personnel and their families" in expanded statement

LESSONS LEARNED:

• Early community engagement exposed opposition before investment

• DNR land sale requirement proved insurmountable hurdle

• Northern Michigan public land preservation priorities

• Contrast to Saline Township where project advanced despite opposition

📊 REGULATORY & POLICY DEVELOPMENTS

MPSC Consumers Energy Tariff Approval (Nov 6)

CASE: U-21859STATUS: Approved with modifications

APPROVED PROVISIONS:

• 15-year minimum contract terms

• 80% minimum billing demand

• Exit fees: Monthly bill × remaining months

• Collateral: 50% of exit fee

• 100 MW minimum threshold

• Up to 5-year ramp period

• Annual reporting requirements

WHAT COMMISSION PUNTED:

• Clean energy standard compliance

• Renewable energy sourcing requirements

• Integrated resource planning implications

• Impact on 2040 clean energy mandate

INTERVENORS:

• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel

• Data Center Coalition

• ABATE (business advocates)

• MNSC (Michigan Environmental Council, NRDC, Sierra Club, CUB)

• Clean Energy Organizations

• Citizens Utility Board of Michigan

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: Environmental groups warned that without explicit renewable requirements, data center boom could undermine Michigan's 100% clean energy by 2040 mandate.

Michigan Strategic Fund - Data Center Tax Incentives

STATUS: Active since April 2025

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum $250M capital investment

• Must attain certification from MSF

• Eliminates Michigan's 6% sales/use tax on:

  • Eligible construction materials

  • Data center equipment

  • Qualified purchases after certification

• Available to qualified entity AND construction contractors

CONCERNS RAISED:

• Advocates warn guidelines may not align with statute

• Environmental groups opposed during legislative process

• Tax revenue loss vs. economic benefit debate ongoing

🎯 STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT

Total Michigan Data Center Pipeline

CONFIRMED: 1.4 GW (Saline/Stargate - RED)LATE-STAGE: 3 GW (DTE additional) + 2 GW (Consumers) = 5 GW ORANGEEARLY-STAGE: Unknown (10+ communities) = YELLOWCANCELLED: 1+ GW (Kalkaska) = HALTED

TOTAL TRACKED: 6.4+ GW confirmed/late-stagePOTENTIAL PIPELINE: 8.4+ GW including early conversations

Energy Context

• DTE Current Peak: ~5.6 GW

• Stargate Alone: +25% to DTE's total load

• Consumers Current Peak: 7.65 GW

• Consumers 1 GW Project: +13% to Consumers' total load

Key Patterns Identified

1. UTILITY STRATEGY DIVERGENCE

• Consumers: Blanket tariff approach, standardized terms

• DTE: Individual contract negotiations, ad-hoc approach

• Result: Two different regulatory frameworks in one state

2. COMMUNITY RESISTANCE GROWING

• Kalkaska cancelled due to public opposition

• Dundee Township: Moratorium enacted

• Kalamazoo County: On hold

• Howell Township: Planning commission rejected

• Mason: Proactive restrictive ordinance

• Pattern: Early engagement = more opposition success

3. DEVELOPER TACTICS

• Target rural agricultural land

• Secure land/power before public disclosure

• Use exclusionary zoning lawsuits (Saline, Related Digital won)

• Economic development promises ($40M/year typical pitch)

• Avoid townships with existing data center ordinances

4. REGULATORY GAPS

• Energy Planning: Clean energy compliance unclear

• Water Use: EGLE authority limited, no data center permits found

• Siting Authority: State has no say (local + PSC only)

• Ratepayer Protection: Framework exists but untested

• Climate Impact: Not required in tariff proceedings

🔍 INTELLIGENCE GAPS & MONITORING PRIORITIES

Critical Unknown Information

1. DTE 3 GW Pipeline: Locations, developers, timeline?

2. Consumers Deals: Who is the 1 GW "hyperscale" customer?

3. Meta Howell: Final township board decision (tonight!)

4. 10+ Communities: Which townships? What stage?

5. Energy Sources: Will new generation be gas or renewable?

Monitoring Priorities - Next 30 Days

1. Dec 3 MPSC Hearing: Public testimony on Stargate

2. Dec 5 MPSC Meeting: Potential Stargate approval decision

3. Howell Township: Meta project board vote aftermath

4. AG Nessel: Will MPSC grant contested case proceeding?

5. DTE IRP Filing: 2026 generation planning

6. Consumers IRP: How much new gas generation needed?

Watch for These Signals

• Township planning commission agendas (rezoning requests)

• DTE/Consumers economic development announcements

• MPSC case filings (new U-2xxxx numbers)

• DNR land sale proposals requiring legislative approval

• Local news: Traffic studies, water assessments

• "Economic development" consultant firms approaching townships

📈 TREND ANALYSIS

Acceleration Timeline

• 2023: Hyperscale data center benchmark study commissioned

• 2024: Tax incentive legislation passed (PA 87)

• Apr 2025: Tax exemptions take effect

• Jul 2025: Consumers announces first 1 GW deal

• Oct 2025: Stargate/Saline announced ($7B)

• Nov 2025: At least 10 communities identified publicly

• Late 2025: 8.4+ GW total pipeline tracked

OBSERVATION: Michigan went from zero hyperscale proposals to 8+ GW in 18 months. This is exponential growth driven by:

1. AI/ML computing demand explosion

2. State tax incentives (6% elimination = tens of millions saved)

3. Available land and power

4. Stable climate (no hurricanes, earthquakes)

5. Great Lakes water access (though not being used by current projects)

Michigan vs. National Context

• Virginia (Loudoun County): Established hub, 300+ MW typical

• Ohio (New Albany/Columbus): Growing hub, Meta/Google presence

• Texas: Massive expansion, looser environmental standards

• Wisconsin: Stargate announced $15B Milwaukee project

• Michigan Position: Late entrant, first hyperscale just starting

MICHIGAN ADVANTAGE:

• Untapped market

• Desperate for economic development post-manufacturing decline

• Willing to provide incentives

• Utilities with excess capacity (short-term)

MICHIGAN DISADVANTAGE:

• No existing hyperscale expertise

• Community resistance strong

• Environmental regulations stricter than South

• Winter construction challenges

💡 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

For Monitoring System

1. Add Howell Township to RED category pending board vote

2. Track all 10+ unnamed communities as they surface

3. Monitor MPSC docket daily through Dec 5

4. Set alerts on local planning commission agendas across Lower Peninsula

5. Follow AG Nessel's motions in U-21990

For Advocacy/Engagement

1. Attend Dec 3 MPSC hearing - Critical public input window

2. Support AG Nessel's contested case request - Ensure proper review

3. Track environmental group interventions - They have best legal resources

4. Connect local opposition groups - Kalkaska success = blueprint

5. Pressure legislators on DNR land sales - Public land protection priority

For Intelligence Gathering

1. FOIA requests to townships for developer correspondence

2. Monitor DTE/Consumers investor calls for capacity announcements

3. Track real estate transactions in rural townships near transmission

4. Follow consultant firms specializing in data center siting

5. Attend township board meetings in target areas

📚 SOURCES SEARCHED (22 Total)

PSC DOCKETS (5):

1. Michigan Public Service Commission DTE large load

2. Michigan PSC Consumers Energy data center

3. Michigan PSC special contract Case U-

4. site:mi-psc.my.site.com data center

5. site:michigan.gov/mpsc data center

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS (3): 6. Michigan EGLE groundwater withdrawal data center 7. Michigan EGLE permit cooling system 8. site:michigan.gov/egle data center

NEWS COVERAGE (5): 9. Michigan data center construction news today 10. Michigan data center announcement 11. Michigan township data center November 2025 12. DTE Energy data center Michigan 13. Consumers Energy data center Michigan

GOVERNMENT ACTIONS (3): 14. Michigan township special use permit data center 15. Michigan city council data center 16. Michigan planning commission technology campus

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (3): 17. Michigan MEDC data center incentive 18. Michigan transformational brownfield data center 19. site:michiganbusiness.org data center

ADDITIONAL TARGETED: 20. Kalkaska County data center Michigan 21. Howell Township Meta 22. Augusta Township Thor Equities

KEY SOURCES:

• MPSC filings and orders (U-21990, U-21859)

• Bridge Michigan investigative reporting

• Planet Detroit environmental coverage

• Michigan Advance government accountability

• WKAR Michigan Data Center Divide series

• Local news (Livingston Post, Saline Post, Ticker)

• Environmental group briefs (Sierra Club, ELPC, NRDC)

• Utility earnings calls and press releases

🎯 BOTTOM LINE

Michigan is experiencing a data center gold rush. In 18 months, the state went from zero hyperscale facilities to tracking 8.4+ GW across 10+ communities. The Saline/Stargate project is Michigan's first confirmed hyperscale at 1.4 GW ($7B), but it represents only 17% of the known pipeline.

Critical inflection point is December 3. The MPSC public hearing on Stargate will set the tone for all future Michigan data centers. Environmental groups, AG Nessel, and community advocates are pushing for renewable energy requirements and stronger ratepayer protections. The data center industry wants fast approval and minimal restrictions.

Pattern to watch: Early community engagement works. Kalkaska cancelled 24 hours after hostile public meetings. Mason is writing protective ordinances before developers arrive. Howell's planning commission rejected Meta. This suggests a narrow window where organized communities can influence outcomes - but only before deals are signed.

The next 30 days are critical for determining whether Michigan's data center boom will be:

1. Fast-tracked development with minimal oversight (industry preference)

2. Balanced approach with environmental safeguards (regulator preference)

3. Community-controlled through local zoning (opposition preference)

All three paths remain possible. Dec 3 public hearing attendance will signal which direction Michigan takes.

Next Update: November 28, 2025 (Post-Thanksgiving sweep)

Special Alert: December 3, 2025 (Post-MPSC hearing analysis)

Report compiled by: Michigan Data Center Intelligence

System Date: November 21, 2025 | 10:45 PM EST