Republican Mike Rogers has announced his support for a temporary halt on data center construction as he campaigns against a progressive Democrat for Michigan’s open Senate seat.
Michigan stands as a crucial battleground in this Senate cycle, with Democrats aiming to retain the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.
During a news conference, when questioned about his stance on data centers, Rogers stated, “I think we need to take a pause, probably, and make sure that we’re answering all the questions that people have.”
In a conversation with the Detroit News, Rogers clarified his support for a one-year moratorium on data centers in Michigan, emphasizing it is a state proposal rather than a national ban.
“While I don’t support a federal ban, Michigan needs stronger guardrails to protect community control, prevent utility price hikes, protect our water and stop pay-to-play schemes,” Rogers explained to the News.
He further stated, “That is why I am calling for a one-year moratorium on new data centers until we establish a fair, transparent approval process that puts local communities first.”
This stance marks a significant departure for Rogers and distinguishes him from many in the Republican Party and some Democrats. Rogers’ campaign has yet to respond to POLITICO’s requests for comment or clarification.
Rogers’ opponent, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, has advocated for stringent new standards to mitigate the impact of data centers on the electric grid, water, and local communities, but he has not advocated for a comprehensive moratorium like some other progressives.
The issue of data centers has become central to many midterm campaigns, with voters increasingly attributing rising electricity costs and other problems to these facilities. However, the Data Center Coalition argues that the centers alone are not responsible for higher utility rates.
Data centers are also a key issue in another significant Senate race this year, namely the Ohio contest between Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who has criticized Husted for allegedly having close ties with data centers.
This week, the National Republican Senatorial Committee issued a memo to the technology sector warning about data centers becoming a contentious issue in the midterms, particularly in the race between Husted and Brown.
In Congress, House lawmakers are progressing with the Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 9340, designed to protect Americans from the effects of data centers. Husted is sponsoring the Senate version, S. 5028.
Previously, Rogers had generally supported the expansion of data centers. In a July interview with ABC affiliate WXYZ, he expressed the need for electric grid and environmental regulations for data centers, while allowing communities that desire them to proceed with construction.
“If the people are willing to put up with one of these things in their community, they ought to have direct benefit,” Rogers stated. “I think that’s a better way to get the community involved in the decision.”
El-Sayed, who targeted a significant part of his primary campaign against Rep. Haley Stevens, appeared skeptical of Rogers’ shift. He reacted to the news on X with an eyebrow-raising emoji.
In one campaign event, the Democrat remarked, “People really effing hate data centers.”
In a related note, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) also called for a state data center moratorium during her gubernatorial race, but she lost in the primary.
