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U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), along with State Senator Jeff Irwin and State Representative Morgan Foreman, today sent a letter to Michigan Public Service Commission chair Dan Scripps, requesting transparency, accountability, and frequent clear communications with the public throughout the entirety of the approval and construction processes of the new Stargate data center coming to Saline Township.

“As reported, Related Digital Construction, in partnership with Oracle and OpenAI, plans to build a $7 billion artificial intelligence (AI) data center campus on approximately 250 acres of farmland in Saline Township,” the lawmakers write. “This development would bring significant investment, employ good-paying union labor, and strengthen Michigan’s position as a leader in next-generation computing infrastructure. However, the project’s scale, which could increase the energy needed to serve all of DTE’s customers by 25 percent, underscores the need for transparency and public accountability at every stage.”

“As we understand it, DTE’s request before MPSC involves an ex parte proceeding, which would move more quickly, as it applies only when there is no expected impact on ratepayers. DTE has stated that this project meets that standard — that no rate increases will occur due to this project and that the project will benefit customers by helping to offset fixed costs and strengthen grid reliability, battery storage capacity, among other improvements,” the lawmakers continue. “Given the size and complexity of the proposal, we believe DTE should provide full and verifiable information to ensure that ratepayers are protected, including clarity on the financial guarantees backing the agreement and the contractual safeguards in place if the project’s partners are unable to meet their obligations. Under state law, any rate associated with this project cannot be subsidized by other ratepayers, and we would like DTE to clearly demonstrate that this will be the case.”

“It is also important that the project come forward with full transparency about its water usage and infrastructure needs, ensuring that local water systems are not overburdened and that water rates for residents remain stable,” the lawmakers continue. “While the developers have indicated that the facility will comply with DTE’s renewable energy requirements, it should be clear to the public how this project aligns with Michigan’s broader energy transition. We encourage MPSC, DTE, Related Digital Construction, Oracle, and OpenAI to communicate this clearly and transparently so that residents can share in the confidence about this investment.”

“Such assurances must be communicated clearly, transparently, publicly, and must be legally binding. Residents deserve clear and verified information. Open communication with the community is essential to build trust and ensure that people have confidence their rates will remain stable and that their concerns are being heard and addressed…” the lawmakers conclude. “ We recognize that this can be a promising project for Southeast Michigan. By keeping the process open and transparent, we can make sure it strengthens our economy, supports workers, and ensures that communities remain informed and involved every step of the way.”

View the full text of the letter here.