Michigan House Subcommittee Hears Testimony on Data Centers

Experts discuss energy rates, environmental impacts, and transparency concerns around data center projects in the state.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:39pm

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The Michigan House Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss data centers in the state. Experts testified about the high energy demands of data centers, potential environmental and health impacts, and a lack of transparency around these projects. Community members also voiced concerns over proposed data center developments in their neighborhoods.

Why it matters

Data centers are becoming increasingly common as technology and cloud computing continue to grow, but their energy-intensive nature and potential community impacts are raising concerns. This hearing highlights the tensions between the economic benefits of data centers and the need to address environmental, health, and transparency issues.

The details

The hearing featured testimony from experts like Ben Green, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, who urged lawmakers to consider repealing tax breaks for data center companies. Environmental health specialist Kristen Meghan Kelly also raised red flags about the risks of data centers. Community members like Howell Township resident Curtis Hamilton expressed concerns over a lack of transparency around proposed projects in their neighborhoods.

  • The hearing was held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Ben Green

An assistant professor at the University of Michigan who testified about the high energy demands of data centers and called for repealing tax breaks for these companies.

Kristen Meghan Kelly

An environmental health specialist who testified about the potential risks and red flags surrounding data centers.

Curtis Hamilton

A Howell Township resident who expressed concerns over a lack of transparency around proposed data center projects in his community.

Rep. Steve Carra

The chair of the House Subcommittee on Oversight, who said the committee would continue to press data center companies like OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital to testify.

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What they’re saying

“Data centers require incredible amounts of electricity, and this is straining the power grid in the regions where data centers are located.”

— Ben Green, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan

“We are not anti- AI in fact thousands of my ADHD screenshots are floating around the cloud, but we cannot ignore the red flag risks.”

— Kristen Meghan Kelly, Environmental Health Specialist

“Give us time to debate those things and just because a technology is available doesn't mean it's good for everybody.”

— Curtis Hamilton, Howell Township Resident

What’s next

The subcommittee chair, Rep. Steve Carra, said the committee would continue to press data center companies like OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital to testify at a future hearing.

The takeaway

This hearing highlights the growing tensions around data centers, as communities weigh the economic benefits against concerns over energy demands, environmental impacts, and transparency. Policymakers will need to balance these competing interests as data centers continue to proliferate across the state.