By Joseph Schultz
For the first time since communities in West Michigan started rallying against planned data centers, Microsoft held an informational open house Tuesday afternoon in Gaines Township.
Microsoft Spokespersons, who declined to be identified, answered questions from the community. Consumers Energy representatives were also on hand to address residents’ concerns about electricity.
When asked for an update on their intentions to build a data center in Dorr, an anonymous Microsoft spokesperson cited the 12-month moratorium as the reason the company is waiting to see what rules may be required. The spokesperson stated that once the moratorium is lifted, Microsoft will present a plan that will be in compliance with the township’s codes.
The design for the proposed Gaines Township facility was typical for Microsoft data centers. It includes a setback of 200 to 300 feet and earthen berms with vegetation to minimize visual and noise impacts.
The anonymous Microsoft spokesperson noted that the only likely variations in the design would involve the type of back-up generators used, and the specific means of noise reduction.
Water Usage
Microsoft said the data center would be cooled with a closed-loop system, which operates similarly to a car’s engine cooling system. Water is circulated to the computer chips to carry heat away to the cooling towers before being recirculated.
While the spokesperson said he did not know how much water would be needed to fill the system or normal operations, it would be minimal because of the closed nature of the system. When asked about maintenance, the spokesperson said that any water drained would be collected and taken off-site to be processed.
Power Usage
The daily electrical power needs for the data center were unknown to the spokesperson, who deferred those questions to Consumers Energy.
Consumer Energy representatives said that the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved “large-load tariffs” for data centers. The tariffs are designed to pay for the transmission, generation, and distribution costs for providing the necessary electricity.
Microsoft and Consumers Energy representatives stressed that residential customers will not see an increase in their rates due to the data center’s power needs. For back-up power, Microsoft said that on-site diesel generators would likely be used in the event of an outage.
Jobs, Taxes and Community
Microsoft also touted job creation associated with the project. Construction jobs are expected to be substantial given the project’s scale.
Once operational, each building will employ approximately 50 full-time employees and vendors. Roles include directors, managers, trainers, security, inventory technicians, and mechanical, electrical and IT engineers.
There would be no local tax breaks for Microsoft. Instead, the increase in the tax base was sited as a primary benefit, with the additional revenue enabling the township to provide more services to the community.
Microsoft wants to begin construction in one year, though the facility likely won’t be operational for three years.
As one poster at the event noted: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Mr. Schultz
Why is it no one in the media will cover and explain the final goal of these large facilities being but across the world?
Doesn’t anyone understand the final goal??
First..Ai-Certic/ AI-Native Data Centers
Second Hyperscale Data Centers
Three. AI Factories
Four Lights ‘Out Data Centers
Final goal. ASI = Artificial Super Intelligence.
Do some research and enlighten your readers about the direction the first Country to establish ASI will have and what all it can control.
The prediction is it will arrive by 2030 or before.
This is more than loss of farmland, water usage or pollution, electrical grid disruption, noise,air,small plastic particle or light pollution
Please do some research and publicly prove me wrong
Sir, you are not wrong that there is an AI race among the countries of the world. In a way, it is not unlike the race to split the atom during World War II.
That race created new tools, like nuclear power and nuclear medicine. It also created the ultimate weapon of war to now, the nuclear bomb.
How all these technologies are used will always require REAL intelligence.
Thank you for reading!
“The prediction is it will arrive by 2030 or before”
If the above statement is true, it will be of no benefit to us. One of the more educated contributors to TB indicated we are all done by 2030. Additionally with President Trump pulling the plug on the green new scam we are probably slated sooner than 2030………My opinion…..
Cheers!!
“Microsoft held an informational open house”
That didn’t answer the tough questions. How much water and how much electricity????…………This is an absolute joke in my opinion.
If it’s a closed loop system, why would the system need to be drained off? Additionally why are we trucking waste water off the property? Are we talking about contamination? Please help me understand…….
Mr Miling, Now that the NDA has been lifted, maybe you would be willing to share the details of your private meeting with Microsoft………….You seem pretty confident (arrogant) in the board meetings, my opinion only, let’s have it…………..
Crickets………..
Cheers!!
To answer your question about the closed-loop system, there is a paragraph in one of the many flyers Microsoft handed out which says:
“In some datacenters, a propylene glycol (PG) solution is used within our closed-loop cooling systems. On rare occasions when PG must be removed, it is collected and hauled away for proper disposal in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.”
As for Mr. Miling and the NDA, he did explain the meeting with Microsoft at the January Board meeting. He stated that he was not bound by the NDA once Microsoft announced the purchase of the land in 2024. You can read our report on what he said at:
https://townbroadcast.com/dorr-twp-board-pelted-again-by-data-center-criticisms/
Thank you for reading!