Mike Rogers Proposes One-Year Moratorium on Data Center Construction

Former Representative Mike Rogers, now the Republican nominee for a crucial Senate race in Michigan, has called for a one-year halt on building new data centers. This move reflects increasing political discomfort with data centers as they drive the AI industry’s expansion. Rogers emphasized the need for a fair and transparent approval process focused on local community interests.

Rogers stated, “While I don’t support a federal ban, Michigan needs stronger measures to ensure community control, prevent utility rate increases, safeguard water resources, and eliminate pay-to-play practices.” His Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, has also addressed the data center issue, advocating for a set of “terms of engagement” for new projects. This includes requiring developers to cover any higher energy costs and mandate the use of closed-loop cooling systems, among other things.

El-Sayed remarked, “Until we achieve these terms on a federal level, I support local and state officials in saying we cannot approve more data centers without national guidelines.” He expressed this stance during an appearance with local activists at a proposed data center site in July.

The Michigan Senate race holds significant importance for both parties as they contend for the Senate majority in the next Congress. Democrats aim to secure four additional seats but must retain the Michigan seat currently held by retiring Senator Gary Peters. Data centers are gaining prominence in midterm campaigns nationwide as public skepticism grows over the AI infrastructure boom.

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In other news, a man in a Darth Vader costume defended the use of Flock cameras at a San Diego City Council meeting, asserting that “this is what the emperor needs.” The character’s distinctive breathing was audible during the session. Elsewhere, a major polling tracker suspended data from a firm accused of falsifying information in Florida’s gubernatorial race, while former Governor Asa Hutchinson criticized a National Republican Senatorial Committee memo on data centers for its “alarmist tone.” In another major development, the FBI reportedly raided former Representative Eric Swalwell’s home in connection to a Chinese spy probe.

On the cryptocurrency front, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair, Michael Selig, pledged quick action to establish crypto market rules if Congress fails to pass relevant legislation this year. The proposed Clarity Act, aiming to divide oversight between the CFTC and the SEC, faces delays due to ongoing negotiations and remaining disagreements.