Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called Wednesday on data center companies to sign a pledge vowing their operations won’t lead to higher costs for Michigan residents.
Whitmer, a Democrat who’s in her eighth and final year in the state’s top office, released the 10-part pledge in a press release, as the debate over whether political leaders should embrace data centers has become a key part of the 2026 campaign.
The pledge asks companies to ensure data centers “help maintain electric grid reliability for Michigan families and small businesses,” protect local fresh water and commit to “investing in Michigan through tax contributions that expand the tax base.”
“On my watch, Michiganders have been protected from any rate increases due to data center development and we adopted some of the strongest protections for people and communities, but we need to do more,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I’m calling on all data center companies to sign the pledge, and on the Michigan Legislature to codify every single one of our guardrails in Michigan law.
“Let’s keep working together to grow our economy responsibly and build a Michigan where every family can afford to thrive.”
Plans for data center projects have proliferated across Michigan in recent months.
Whitmer has faced criticism for embracing a 1.65 million-square-foot data center development in Saline Township. The project involves tech giants Oracle and OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.
In October, the governor’s office described it as the “largest investment in Michigan history.”
In response to the new pledge being advanced by Whitmer, Tim Minotas, legislative and political director for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, said Wednesday that “pledges and promises are not enough.”
“Michigan needs strong, enforceable data center regulations now,” Minotas said. “Michiganders deserve real protections against unchecked data center development. That’s why we’ve been calling for a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data center approvals until the Legislature enacts enforceable safeguards that protect our natural resources, communities, and ratepayers.”
Some candidates on both sides of the political aisle have also called for a moratorium, including Republican Perry Johnson, who’s running for governor.
“When I am governor, we will have a one-year moratorium on new data centers so we can dig into the details, demand transparency, and make sure these projects are not being forced onto communities without the facts,” Johnson said previously.
The companies Oracle and Google voiced support for Whitmer’s pledge on Wednesday.
“Oracle is grateful for Gov. Whitmer’s leadership in attracting transformative investment to Michigan while protecting residents, ratepayers, and the state’s natural resources,” said Michael Egbert, vice president for Oracle.
Likewise, Grace Walovich, Google’s regional policy and market development lead, said Google, which is pursuing a project in Van Buren Township, is proud to sign the pledge.
“This builds on our national commitment to pay our own way, protect ratepayers, and bring new, clean energy sources to support reliable grids in all of the communities where we operate, including Michigan,” Walovich said.
cmauger@detroitnews.com
Staff Writer Carol Thompson contributed.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants data center companies to sign a pledge
Reporting by Craig Mauger, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Craig Mauger, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
