Topping the concerns about the proposed data center in Howell Township aired at an unofficial town hall Monday were electrical service (consumption, rates, outages, and prioritization), cooling systems, harmful chemicals, transparency, and the speed at which the proposal is moving.
An estimated two dozen people flowed in and out of the Howell High School Auditorium for the event hosted by Aaren Currie, a local Realtor, and facilitated by Deb Drick, chair of the Livingston County Republican Party. Drick called the event “the longest civil discussion” she has seen on the issue.
After all the concerns were heard and recorded, Drick led brainstorming about ways to improve the issues, and provide benefits to the community.
If approved, the data center project will be the largest project in Livingston County history. It will encompass over a thousand acres of farmland, and the $1 billion initial capital investment will immediately make it the county’s largest taxpayer; it would also open the door for similar projects down the road. While proponents point to the financial benefits of the development, opponents cite concerns about rising electricity costs, the strain on the area’s water supply, as well as light and sound pollution.
One of the main questions at Monday’s town hall was how much energy the data center would require. Residents were interested in what electrical rates would be. Some wondered who would get priority during power outages: the data center or area residents?
Attendees were also unhappy with what they see as a lack of transparency with the data center proposal. With the Howell Township Board meeting to decide whether to impose a six-month moratorium on the project just a few days away, there still are no answers to a lot of common questions that have been asked since the beginning of the proposal. https://thelivingstonpost.com/howell-township-data-center-whats-the-rush/
“I tried to talk to the property owners, tried to talk to the township, why does it feel like we’re being stonewalled,” said Cory Alchin, one of the organizers of Stop the Data Center – Livingston. “Because you guys feel like you have to do this (present the town hall) to get answers and to get communication going. Why has it gotten to this point?”
Drick responded that the community has not had a civil discussion like this particular event was offering, and that residents are using social media — like Facebook — to air their concerns. She said she was unsure if the town hall or the information that was compiled will result in any change or help.
“I don’t know if this is going to help anybody, hurt anybody, whatever it is, but it is probably the most comprehensive list of concerns that I have seen yet,” Drick added.
Another person in attendance raised concerns about the timeline of the decision-making, who is making the decisions, and if there will be multiple phases and more conversations with the community. Others want to know who is negotiating behind the scenes of the data center.
Concerns were also expressed at to what type of chemicals or contaminants will be used within the data center, and they are concerned about any effects on the water, farms or animals, and if there will be a pump and dump cooling system used.
After the list of concerns was completed, Drick said she will post it and send it out for everyone, including Howell Township board members, to see.
Drick asked attendees if anyone had any ideas on how to improve their concerns, as well as what could be asked for as community benefits. Topping the list of benefits, audience members said they’d like to see support for programs within Howell and Fowlerville schools, as well as annual funds to each district.
Attendees said they want reassurance of electrical rates not changing, and that conversations with DTE weren’t enough.
“We need to be able to speak with representatives from MPSC, who govern the rates, the Michigan Public Service Commission and MISO,” said an attendee. “But they essentially set the auction rate for electricity. Those are the people we need to speak to, not DTE, who is profiting off this.”
Other concerns focused on the environment, and keeping as much of the microenvironment intact as possible.
“We need to make sure that whatever plant material they are going to be putting in those buffer areas are beneficial to the ecosystem,” said one audience member, “and they should be mandated to use native plants.”
