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Detroit council urges moratorium on large data centers, citing environmental and ratepayer risks
Summary
The Detroit City Council on March 17 adopted a resolution urging a two-year moratorium on large AI/data-center construction while the city studies zoning, energy and environmental impacts; members split over duration and next steps for formal ordinance changes.
Councilmember Scott Benson introduced and the council approved a resolution urging a two-year moratorium on large AI and data-center development to give the city time to study zoning, energy and environmental impacts.
Supporters said Detroit’s zoning code lacks specific regulations for very large data centers and that rapid build-out could raise electricity costs and local pollution. “I am neither pro nor con. What I want to do is ensure that we as a city provide protections and establish the rules of the road for data centers,” Benson said during debate.
City planning staff told the council the zoning ordinance currently has no explicit…
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