‘Uniquely evil’: Michigan residents fight against huge datacenter backed by top tycoons

Kate Haushalter photographed in her family’s home, the new data center will neighbor their property. ’This shouldn’t be near any livable area.’ Photograph: Sarah Rice/The Guardian

A who’s who of the nation’s most powerful politicians and tech tycoons are forcing through a proposal for a huge datacenter in rural Michigan as locals from across the political spectrum have come out in force against it, with one calling it “uniquely evil”.

Residents of Saline Township, Michigan, fear the $7bn center would jack up energy bills, pollute groundwater and destroy the area’s rural character. The 1.4 gigawatt center would consume as much power as Detroit, and would help derail Michigan’s nation-leading transition to renewable energy.