Gov. has Gretchen Whitmer announced that six artificial intelligence and data center companies have signed the Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth Pledge, the first state-level pledge in the nation.
By signing this pledge, the companies agree to invest in the electric grid, use clean energy, hire Michiganders, safeguard natural resources, and pay the full cost of data center construction and operation so Michigan residents do not pay a single penny.
“We’ve seen how data centers can go wrong in other states, which is why on my watch, we’ve ensured Michiganders never see a rate increase and can rely on some of the strongest environmental protections for people and communities,” said Whitmer said. “The Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth Pledge builds on that work by ensuring data center companies are accountable for their own development and letting Michigan communities know exactly where data center companies stand.
“I’m calling on all data center companies to join the current signatories, and on the legislature to codify our strong guardrails in Michigan law. Let’s work together to grow Michigan’s economy responsibly and build a bright future for our state.”
The pledge outlines state laws, regulations, and orders from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) that data center companies must follow. As part of the Michigan Affordable and Responsible Growth Action Plan, the governor is also calling on the legislature to codify protections that the MPSC put into place to further protect communities and working families.
In less than 24 hours since the release of the pledge, the following companies have signed:
Anthropic
Google
Microsoft
OpenAI
Oracle
Verrus
The Michigan Affordable and Responsible Growth Action Plan includes two key pillars. First, the governor’s call on members of the legislature to adopt the data center safeguards already put in place by the Michigan Public Service Commission into state law including:
minimum billing demand,
contract termination fees,
credit and collateral requirements,
minimum contract terms and
other efforts to ensure data centers are paying the full costs they are putting on the system.
Second, the Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth Pledge, a package of commitments by signees to create good-paying jobs and ensure companies pay for all their own costs, including water and energy, so Michiganders do not see any additional costs.
By signing this pledge, the companies agree to invest in the electric grid, use clean energy, hire Michiganders, safeguard natural resources, and pay the full cost of data center construction and operation so Michigan residents do not pay a single penny.
“We’ve seen how data centers can go wrong in other states, which is why on my watch, we’ve ensured Michiganders never see a rate increase and can rely on some of the strongest environmental protections for people and communities,” said Whitmer said. “The Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth Pledge builds on that work by ensuring data center companies are accountable for their own development and letting Michigan communities know exactly where data center companies stand.
“I’m calling on all data center companies to join the current signatories, and on the legislature to codify our strong guardrails in Michigan law. Let’s work together to grow Michigan’s economy responsibly and build a bright future for our state.”
The pledge outlines state laws, regulations, and orders from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) that data center companies must follow. As part of the Michigan Affordable and Responsible Growth Action Plan, the governor is also calling on the legislature to codify protections that the MPSC put into place to further protect communities and working families.
In less than 24 hours since the release of the pledge, the following companies have signed:
Anthropic
Microsoft
OpenAI
Oracle
Verrus
The Michigan Affordable and Responsible Growth Action Plan includes two key pillars. First, the governor’s call on members of the legislature to adopt the data center safeguards already put in place by the Michigan Public Service Commission into state law including:
minimum billing demand,
contract termination fees,
credit and collateral requirements,
minimum contract terms and
other efforts to ensure data centers are paying the full costs they are putting on the system.
Second, the Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth Pledge, a package of commitments by signees to create good-paying jobs and ensure companies pay for all their own costs, including water and energy, so Michiganders do not see any additional costs.
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