NewsThe GuardianJuly 3, 2026United States
Residents challenge local data center projects and official transparency
Residents across the U.S. are increasingly opposing new data center developments and seeking to recall local officials involved in the approval process. In Lenox Township, Michigan, residents discovered through public records that developers had sought support for a data center project despite officials initially denying any such applications.
Read the full story at The GuardianWhy It Matters
The outcome of these local disputes determines whether data center projects proceed in residential areas and impacts the tenure of local officials who support or oppose these developments.
Key Facts
- Residents in various parts of the U.S. are pursuing moratoriums on data center construction.
- Local officials who approve data center projects are facing recall efforts from residents.
- A website, Lenoxdatacenter.com, launched in May to promote a proposed data center campus in Michigan.
- The Lenoxdatacenter.com website did not disclose the identity of the developers behind the project.
- Lenox Township officials publicly denied that any applications for a data center had been submitted.
- Residents obtained emails via an open records request showing developers had contacted the township supervisor and deputy supervisor for project support.