A colossal $7 billion data centre project, backed by a powerful alliance of tech billionaires and politicians, is pitting a small rural community in Michigan against some of the world's most influential figures in a classic David versus Goliath struggle.
A Rural Community Under Siege
Residents of Saline Township, a quiet community of roughly 4,000 people near Ann Arbor, are fighting what one local has labelled a "uniquely evil" proposal. The planned 1.4 gigawatt facility, part of the broader "Stargate" project, would consume as much electricity as the entire city of Detroit. Locals fear it will jack up energy bills, pollute groundwater, and irrevocably destroy the area's cherished rural character.
Despite the township's board of trustees voting down the plans in September following resident pressure, the project's formidable backers fought back. Developer Related Digital—owned by billionaire Stephen Ross—sued the township. Vastly outgunned, the local board quickly reversed its decision. The project is backed by an astonishing roster including former President Donald Trump, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Oracle's Larry Ellison, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and utility giant DTE Energy.
The Stakes: Climate Goals and Community Life
The controversy strikes at the heart of Michigan's environmental ambitions. In late 2023, the state passed nation-leading climate laws mandating a transition to renewable energy by 2040. However, the data centre's enormous power demand threatens to trigger a legal "off-ramp," allowing utilities to build new fossil fuel plants. DTE Energy executives have already indicated that new gas plants would likely be needed to meet the demand from this and other proposed centres.
For families like that of former US Marine Kate Haushalter, the fight is deeply personal. She and her husband are raising five children in a renovated farmhouse directly neighbouring the site. "This shouldn't be near any livable area," Haushalter stated, determined to stay and fight for the bucolic life they built. "I don't want to teach my kids to roll over."
Regulatory Battleground and Organised Resistance
The opposition's best hope now lies in the complex arena of utility regulation. DTE Energy has petitioned the Michigan Public Services Commission (MPSC) for a fast-tracked, limited-scrutiny approval, claiming the centre will not increase costs for existing customers. Challenging this, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and consumer advocates are demanding a full "contested case" hearing to force DTE to provide evidence.
Residents are growing increasingly organised. A December protest drew about 200 people from across the political spectrum, described by former Democratic state leader Yousef Rabhi as "truly a cross-section of American society." The following week, 800 people participated in a state public input session. Organisers are now pressuring state environmental regulators to scrutinise the project's required wetland permits.
Josh LeBaron, whose home sits 500 yards from the construction site, rejects accusations of nimby-ism. He argues Michigan has many former industrial sites better suited to the 575-acre development. "I would be at home reading a book if it were a subdivision," he said.
While supporters, including Governor Whitmer, argue the centre provides essential AI infrastructure and will create hundreds of jobs, opponents see a broader symbol. "This is part of an experience that America and the world is having around tech billionaires who are seizing power and widening the gap," Rabhi said. For the residents of Saline Township, the fight to protect their community from what they see as an existential threat is far from over.
