Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., is reportedly calling for a one-year moratorium on the construction of data centers in Michigan, arguing residents deserve an opportunity to “get their questions answered” before additional projects move forward.
Rogers, who is running in Michigan’s closely watched Senate race, discussed the proposal during an interview with NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich, pointing to concerns he has heard from voters while campaigning across the state.
“There is so much concern out there with Michigan citizens,” Rogers, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, said. “My argument is that we need to walk through those issues before we just throw these things out.”
Rogers also criticized his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, over his approach to the increasingly contentious issue.
The Republican claimed the progressive candidate “wants to send [the issue] to Washington, D.C., to make the decisions on it.”
“I think that’s a terrible idea,” Rogers said. “The people who need to make these decisions live in these communities.”
El-Sayed, who is currently leading Rogers in polling cited in the article, has outlined several proposed “terms of engagement” for data centers operating in Michigan.
His proposals include restrictions on energy rate increases tied to data center operations and requirements for community input when new projects are being considered. El-Sayed has also called for ensuring that the projects create jobs and implementing closed-loop cooling systems designed to reduce water pollution.
The two candidates are scheduled to face each other in November as they compete to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election forecaster, currently rates the Michigan Senate contest as a “toss-up.”
The debate comes as data center development has emerged as a major campaign issue around the country.
Supporters argue the massive facilities can generate jobs while helping fuel the continued development of artificial intelligence. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential environmental consequences and the impact the facilities could have on energy rates.
The issue has also created some disagreement among Republicans.
Earlier this month, Trump criticized Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to impose a moratorium on new data centers in his state.
Trump told Punchbowl News that he believed the move was a mistake, pointing to other communities that would welcome the economic activity associated with data center projects.
“I’m not taking positions,” Trump said. “I just think it’s a mistake because there are other communities that want it.”
“When a community wants it, it means a lot of money is going to come into that community,” the president added.
Rogers, meanwhile, is pushing for Michigan to temporarily halt new construction for one year while residents and communities work through their concerns surrounding the projects.
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