Michigan Citizens Against Toxic Substances

08/26/2026

Subject: Formal Opposition to Proposed Data Center Infrastructure Aligning with State Environmental Coalitions to Protect Water, Energy Grid, and Ratepayers

Dear MCATS Friends and Supporters,

I am writing as a resident of Saline Township to express my firm opposition to the proposed industrial data center project planned for The Barn, Augusta Township Data Center, and UM Data Center. Our local concerns align directly with state environmental advocacy groups, including the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Michigan LCV and the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, which have raised alarms over unchecked data center growth across the region.

As highlighted by Sierra Club’s recent calls for a moratorium on unvetted data center expansion and Michigan LCV’s warnings regarding rate hikes and corporate welfare, these hyperscale facilities pose serious long-term threats to our state's clean energy goals, water tables, and taxpayers.

Our opposition is rooted in the following critical impacts:

Unceasing Noise Pollution (First & Forever): Unlike traditional light industrial developments, hyperscale data centers generate relentless, continuous low-frequency noise from thousands of industrial cooling fans, HVAC systems, and high-voltage electrical transformers. Once installed, this ambient hum operates 24/7/365, permanently degrading the rural character of our neighborhoods, disturbing local wildlife, and driving down residential property values without pause.

Severe Threats to Water Security & Irreversible Pollution: Data centers consume millions of gallons of water daily for cooling, straining municipal systems and threatening private wells. Michigan LCV warns that regional data center growth risks consuming billions of gallons annually. Beyond sheer volume, chemical discharges including biocides, scale inhibitors, and anti-corrosives used in cooling towers gradually leach into surrounding soils and aquifers. Water pollution is not an intermittent event; once toxic chemicals migrate into groundwater, the contamination is slow, systemic, and virtually impossible to reverse.

Ratepayer Cost Shifting & Grid Strain: Hyperscale centers demand immense power often equivalent to an entire city. As the Sierra Club has repeatedly emphasized, utility infrastructure build-outs to serve tech companies threaten to drive up energy bills for everyday residents while delaying clean energy transitions. Unlike deregulated energy markets such as Texas, where consumers can choose among roughly ten or more retail electric providers to shop for competitive, significantly lower rates. Michigan operates under a largely regulated utility model. Everyday residents cannot easily switch providers to avoid inflated distribution and capacity fees, leaving local ratepayers trapped with the financial burden of massive utility upgrades.

Chemical Discharge & Environmental Risks: Thermal pollution and water-treatment chemicals discharged from cooling towers pose continuous contamination risks to surrounding agricultural lands, wetlands, and localized watersheds.

Policy Demands & Protections
In line with recommendations from Michigan LCV and Sierra Club, MCATS Boards of Directors must deny all zoning amendments, site approvals, and tax incentives unless the developer legally commits to the following guardrails:

Independent Hydrogeological Assessment: A third-party hydrogeological impact study funded by the developer but overseen by local authorities to model aquifer drawdown, well impact, and municipal water capacity before any permits are considered.

Full Public Disclosure of Chemical Additives: Complete transparency and public disclosure of all biocides and chemical additives used in cooling systems, prohibiting trade-secret non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

Complete Ratepayer Isolation: Mandatory utility guarantees that the developer pays 100% of grid expansion, substation, and energy infrastructure costs, protecting residents from rate increases.

Enforceable Water, Energy, & Acoustic Caps: Legally binding daily water-withdrawal limits, mandatory closed-loop dry-cooling systems to eliminate continuous freshwater depletion, and strictly enforced low-decibel acoustic barriers at property boundaries.

Michigan’s freshwater resources, rural peace, and energy grid must not be sacrificed to subsidize resource-intensive server farms. We urge you to stand with your constituents and environmental advocates by halting this project until complete regulatory and environmental standards are met.

Thank you for your time and leadership in protecting our community.

Sincerely,

MCATS Legislative Team

08/12/2026

Thank you The Campfire Grill for hosting the MCATS Reunion today.

08/12/2026

Back at The Campfire Grill for a reunion!

07/14/2026

Thank you to The Campfire Grill for hosting us tonight. It was a wonderful throwback.

07/14/2026

When legislation came before the Michigan House to provide tax incentives for large-scale data centers, I voted NO.

Over the past several months, I've heard from residents throughout our district who are concerned about the impact these projects could have on energy demand, water resources, infrastructure, land use, and the character of their communities.

I believe local communities deserve a meaningful voice about large-scale projects that can significantly impact energy demand, water resources, infrastructure, land use, and quality of life.

That's why I've introduced and supported legislation to strengthen transparency, public input, environmental protections, cybersecurity, and accountability surrounding data center development.

I respect that people may see this issue differently, but I believe my responsibility is to put our communities first and ensure residents have a seat at the table when decisions of this magnitude are being made.

07/12/2026

Martha Churchill
Milan, MI

Age 75, passed away Friday, July 10, 2026, at Gaslight Village in Adrian. Martha Ann Churchill was born on June 3, 1951 in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Donald N. and Carol (McKindley) Churchill. Her sisters and brothers were Cynthia of Westerville, Ohio; Bruce of Pflugerville, Texas; Carolyn of South Haven; Nathan of Milan; Jean of Milan; and Kathy Cannon of Louisville, Kentucky.

Martha graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1969. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1973, majoring in Journalism and Anthropology, while living with her parents in Milan.

Martha worked as a newspaper reporter, then earned her law degree from Cooley Law School in Lansing in 1979. She was the first law review editor at Cooley Law School. Martha tried cases in Detroit in Wayne County Circuit Court and US District Court. In 1990, she practiced environmental law in downtown Chicago, then worked in a law office in Roswell, New Mexico.

Martha returned to Milan, Michigan in 1998. She set up a law office on Main Street and served 16 years on the Milan City Council. Martha wrote several published books about Milan local history and numerous history essays for local papers.

Martha was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. Her friends urged her to keep her diagnosis a secret. Instead, she threw a party at a barber shop on Main Street. Her friends served cake to the crowd. Martha arranged for entertainment related to fighting cancer, then got her hair buzzed off in front of everyone. She was willing to go her own way.

In 2014, the Travel Channel put Milan history on national television, featuring Martha. She explained that a Milan family stole money on Wall Street in New York, then built the Hack House in 1888 with their ill-gotten gains.

Martha was adventurous. She had visited the Soviet Union, Israel, Turkey, China, England, Thailand and many other places. At various times she was able to speak Russian or Hebrew.

Martha met her husband, Steven W. Griewahn, in 2017. The two were married the following year and they picked out a home together in Milan. He preceded her in death December 3, 2024. Martha was a lifetime advocate for her brother, Nathan, standing up for his right to live independently despite a disability. He also preceded her in death September 11, 2024.

A gathering will be held at Ochalek Funeral Home, Milan on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. for family and friends to share memories of Martha. Private burial will be held at Marble Park Cemetery, Milan. Contributions may be made to Temple Beth Emeth, 2309 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

07/01/2026

Subject: Support HB 5764 – Lower energy bills and expand solar access for all Michiganders
Dear State Representatives/Senators

As a constituent and a member of the Michigan Climate Action Network, I am writing to strongly urge your support for House Bill 5764, which expands access to affordable, clean energy by legalizing plug-in photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 1,200 watts. Renewable energy is not a partisan issue; it is a universal need for everyone in Michigan.

Currently, over 70% of Michiganders face barriers to traditional rooftop solar due to high upfront costs, renting, or living in multi-family housing. HB 5764 solves this by cutting through utility bureaucracy. It allows residents to safely use small, movable "plug-in" or balcony solar units that connect directly to standard 120V household outlets to offset their power bills by up to 20%.
Critically, HB 5764 protects consumers and the grid by enforcing strict safety standards:
Grid Safety: Mandatory anti-islanding mechanisms mean these devices automatically shut off during a power outage, keeping utility workers perfectly safe.
Consumer Protection: Systems must be certified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and meet the strict requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Zero Red Tape: It explicitly bars electric utilities from charging hidden fees, mandating extra equipment, or delaying installations with burdensome approval processes.
This bipartisan-supported bill mirrors highly successful frameworks in Utah and Europe, allowing everyday Michiganders to take control of rising utility costs without asking for a handout.
Please champion energy freedom and utility bill relief by voting YES on HB 5764 this year for Michiganers.

Sincerely,
MCATS Legislative Team

State Senator Jeff Irwin
Jason Morgan for State Representative
State Representative Reggie Miller

06/22/2026

🌞 Clean energy shouldn't just be for people who own a roof and have $20k to spare. Michigan House Bill 5764 is a game-changer for energy equity! 🚪 Renters, condo residents, and budget-conscious families can finally use simple, portable "plug-in" balcony solar kits (up to 1,200W) to drop their electric bills by up to 20%. The best part?🚫 No utility approval hurdles🚫 No hidden utility fees🛡️ Built-in anti-islanding safety to protect grid workers during outages🔌 Plugs right into a standard wall outlet. Let’s bring energy freedom to Michigan. Call your state representative and tell them to vote YES on HB 5764!

✋🌲

We are happy to support plug-in solar!

State Representative Reggie Miller
State Senator Jeff Irwin
Jason Morgan for State Representative

06/11/2026

MCATS supports this legislation.

A septic system can sit underground for decades, out of sight and largely out of mind, until something goes wrong. Senate Bill 771, now moving through the Michigan Legislature, is aimed at changing that. The proposal would create statewide inspection requirements for septic systems in Michigan, the....

05/27/2026

Thank you State Representative Reggie Miller