Mike Rogers calls for 1-year data center moratorium

Republican Mike Rogers has backed a one-year moratorium on data center construction in Michigan, shifting his position from previous support for data centers. The Michigan Senate seat is one of the most contested this election cycle, with Democrats aiming to retain the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters. Rogers, during a news conference, stated that he believes the state needs to "take a pause" and address community concerns before approving new data centers.

He emphasized the need for a fair and transparent approval process that prioritizes local communities. This stance is a significant departure from most Republicans and even some Democrats. Rogers' opponent, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, has called for stricter standards to prevent data center impacts on the electric grid, water, and local communities but has not advocated for a moratorium.

Data centers have become a contentious issue in the midterm campaigns, as voters express concerns about their effects on utility rates and other aspects. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has warned that data centers are becoming increasingly problematic in the midterms, particularly in the Ohio race between Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

The Ratepayer Protection Act, sponsored by Husted, aims to shield Americans from data center impacts.