By Nick Smith
Gongwer News Service
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Thursday she supports the construction of data centers in Michigan but wants to see regulations enacted to ensure there are protections in place for ratepayers and the environment.
Benson was asked about her stance on companies looking to locate large data centers in the state during a gubernatorial campaign event in Lansing in which she was endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids.
She said her focus as it relates to data centers was for Michigan to strike the right balance in attracting union jobs and investment to the state without harming residents’ pocketbooks through higher utility rates or by damaging the state’s natural resources.
“I think this is an incredible opportunity with the proliferation of data centers all over the country to recognize that they can create and bring wealth and union jobs to our state,” Benson said. “We have to do this the right way.”
Her response comes as there is a growing number of proposals for data centers to be constructed and operated in Michigan. The largest so far is planned near Saline Township in which state regulators have approved special contracts for DTE Energy Company to provide power to the facility, which has drawn considerable backlash over concerns including grid reliability, ratepayer costs and potential effects on the environment.
Benson said there needs to be strong guardrails in place to ensure there is a rigorous and transparent review process in place for the planning of data centers.
Enforcement provision for any regulations on data centers in Michigan will also be critical, Benson said.
“Among other things, data centers have to use the most modern technology to protect against unnecessary water use and also develop partnerships to drive down energy costs and invest in clean energy transitions throughout our state,” she said.
Benson said she stands willing to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to find the right regulatory structure for Michigan to host data centers.
Prior to Benson’s remarks about data centers, Brinks told reporters she backed the secretary of state’s candidacy for governor because Michigan needs a governor who can be part of a Democratic “firewall against what is coming out of Washington,” a reference to the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.
“That starts with electing the governor who understands what people are going through, and one who will be in their corner,” Brinks said.
Brinks said Benson would be able to improve government operations as governor, pointing to her work while serving as secretary of state to modernize Department of State branch location operations.
“She knows how to make government actually work for people,” Brinks said.
The majority leader said Benson was also a strong defender of the state’s election systems and people’s votes following the 2020 elections when there was pushback from Trump’s campaign and supporters over false claims that the president had won Michigan that year. Joe Biden won Michigan in 2020 by more than 150,000 votes, and no evidence was ever discovered of widespread voter fraud in the state.
She added that Benson has a winning track record in statewide elections and is the strongest candidate to defeat Republicans in November.
“I believe that Jocelyn is the tide that lifts all boats, and the whole ticket will benefit from her hard work, her strong record and her solutions-based platform,” Brinks said.
Gongwer News Service
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Thursday she supports the construction of data centers in Michigan but wants to see regulations enacted to ensure there are protections in place for ratepayers and the environment.
Benson was asked about her stance on companies looking to locate large data centers in the state during a gubernatorial campaign event in Lansing in which she was endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids.
She said her focus as it relates to data centers was for Michigan to strike the right balance in attracting union jobs and investment to the state without harming residents’ pocketbooks through higher utility rates or by damaging the state’s natural resources.
“I think this is an incredible opportunity with the proliferation of data centers all over the country to recognize that they can create and bring wealth and union jobs to our state,” Benson said. “We have to do this the right way.”
Her response comes as there is a growing number of proposals for data centers to be constructed and operated in Michigan. The largest so far is planned near Saline Township in which state regulators have approved special contracts for DTE Energy Company to provide power to the facility, which has drawn considerable backlash over concerns including grid reliability, ratepayer costs and potential effects on the environment.
Benson said there needs to be strong guardrails in place to ensure there is a rigorous and transparent review process in place for the planning of data centers.
Enforcement provision for any regulations on data centers in Michigan will also be critical, Benson said.
“Among other things, data centers have to use the most modern technology to protect against unnecessary water use and also develop partnerships to drive down energy costs and invest in clean energy transitions throughout our state,” she said.
Benson said she stands willing to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to find the right regulatory structure for Michigan to host data centers.
Prior to Benson’s remarks about data centers, Brinks told reporters she backed the secretary of state’s candidacy for governor because Michigan needs a governor who can be part of a Democratic “firewall against what is coming out of Washington,” a reference to the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.
“That starts with electing the governor who understands what people are going through, and one who will be in their corner,” Brinks said.
Brinks said Benson would be able to improve government operations as governor, pointing to her work while serving as secretary of state to modernize Department of State branch location operations.
“She knows how to make government actually work for people,” Brinks said.
The majority leader said Benson was also a strong defender of the state’s election systems and people’s votes following the 2020 elections when there was pushback from Trump’s campaign and supporters over false claims that the president had won Michigan that year. Joe Biden won Michigan in 2020 by more than 150,000 votes, and no evidence was ever discovered of widespread voter fraud in the state.
She added that Benson has a winning track record in statewide elections and is the strongest candidate to defeat Republicans in November.
“I believe that Jocelyn is the tide that lifts all boats, and the whole ticket will benefit from her hard work, her strong record and her solutions-based platform,” Brinks said.
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