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May 27, 2026 ~ Bridge Michigan’s Kelly House joins Kevin Dietz to discuss environmental issues facing the state as we head into the election.
MICH. ~ A major concern for residents heading into the 2026 governor’s election is the environmental issues that come with expanding infrastructure, according to polling from Bridge Michigan. The health of the Great Lakes and the rivers of Michigan has come into question as data centers have drawn criticism for the massive amounts of water and energy they require.
“They absolutely do consume enormous amount of electricity. That is just a fact. The question then becomes, who’s going to pay for it and how are you deriving that electricity? And I think that’s where a lot of the debate lies,” Bridge Michigan’s Kelly House, in partnership with 760 WJR, said about data centers on All Talk.
Other issues that have come to light are PFAS contamination, aging dams, and invasive species. Half of the state’s assessed river miles are also polluted with E. coli.
Lawmakers have expressed the need to keep the rising energy costs and climate concerns at the forefront of the conversation as data centers, like the $16 billion Saline Township project, are being built across the state.
As of now, the debate about rates rising for residents has yet to be proven, but the Michigan Public Service Commission has claimed that it wants to save money for residents as policies continue to be written.
