Michigan residents largely oppose data center construction, poll shows

A new poll from the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University shows that two in three Michigan residents oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, with 52% strongly opposing and 18% somewhat opposing.

The opposition is bipartisan, stronger among Democrats and independents than Republicans; 76% of respondents who identify as Democrats at least “somewhat” oppose data center development, while 58% of self‑described Republican respondents oppose the projects.

Respondents cite environmental, economic, and utility rate concerns. Nearly three in four believe data centers are at least somewhat bad for the environment, more than half think they are bad for the economy, and more than three quarters expect them to increase home energy costs.

Read the full story at wkar.org.