PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – They may be the future, but some residents want no part of data centers and energy storage facilities.
Both the city of Portage and Oshtemo Township have plans to impose moratoriums on such developments until they can draft ordinances to ensure the high-tech businesses are properly located and regulated.
The Portage Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the city’s moratorium this week.
Council member Kathleen Olmstead says they want to hear from the public.
“So we all need to come together whatever your opinion is for or against get the good side you know whatever side of the aisle we all need to show up getting the information out to the public.”
The meeting will be Thursday evening at Portage City Hall at 7 p.m.
“So you might learn something because what you don’t know you don’t know and this is a very hot topic and once that public hearing is done it’ll go to the city to vote on the following Tuesday,” says Olmstead.
Like any industry, there are pros and cons.
Data storage facilities can draw a lot of electricity and ground water for cooling, and energy storage facilities may present fire risks and environmental issues.
Both require major investments in infrastructure, but they also generate tax base and jobs.
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