State Advances Energy Project While County Debates Development Pause

Huron County is at a critical juncture as state regulators approved the Big Mitten Energy Center while local officials deliberate on whether to halt data center development for six months.

The Michigan Public Service Commission greenlit the 450-megawatt battery storage project in Huron County on Friday, March 29, 2026, as part of DTE Electric Co.s integrated resource plan. This approval comes just days before the Huron County Planning Commission holds a public hearing on a proposed moratorium on data centers.

Community Concerns Mount Before April 1 Hearing

The public hearing will take place Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Room 105 of the Huron County District Court. The commission must decide whether to implement a six-month pause on data center development while they develop appropriate regulations.

Huron County residents have expressed serious concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of large-scale energy facilities.

"You have to be considerate of the soil health, drainage systems and land structure that can be permanently altered for decades after industrial use," said Megan Mellas, a Huron County native who returned to the area to raise her family.

Local farmer and volunteer firefighter Jordan Sieman voiced similar concerns about fire safety.

"I am concerned about fires at data centers or battery storage facilities in Huron County," Sieman said. "These fires are difficult to put out and require a special chemical that most local fire departments — especially volunteer departments — do not have in sufficient supply."

Water Usage and Infrastructure Strain Top Concerns

During community discussions about data centers, residents highlighted multiple critical issues that could impact their quality of life.

Donald May, a local resident, raised concerns about water consumption.

"The water consumption concerns me. This is a limited aquifer where we live so it really concerns me the amount of water consumption — possibly a million gallons a day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unrelenting," May said.

Jim Frazier added that noise pollution is another major concern.

"That doesn't stop. They don't shut it down so you can have a break in the noise," Frazier said.

Paul Quick, who lives near the industrial park, expressed worries about power grid strain.

"With regards to electric usage, I am not so worried about my bill going up as I am worried about my lights dimming if something is happening that puts a strain on the power grid. They should put in their own substation if they are going to build here," Quick said.

Township Precedent: Big Rapids Implements One-Year Pause

Big Rapids Township has already taken action, implementing a one-year moratorium on data centers while developing comprehensive ordinances.

Township Supervisor Bruce Borkovich explained the decision during a March 25 community input session.

"We are bound by our Master Plan as we consider and develop an ordinance to address and regulate data centers, but we want to make sure we really know what our residents want," Borkovich said.

He added that the moratorium provides time to develop appropriate regulations.

"No data centers can be started in that period, while we have a chance to listen to people, learn and develop the ordinance," Borkovich said.

DTE Electric and State Approval Details

The Michigan Public Service Commission approved six energy storage projects across the state, totaling 1,332 megawatts of capacity. The Huron County project is the largest at 450 megawatts.

The approved projects include:

  • 450-megawatt Big Mitten Energy Center in Huron County
  • 350-megawatt Monroe I Energy Center
  • 200-megawatt Fermi Energy Center
  • 132-megawatt Fish Creek Energy Center
  • 100-megawatt Cold Creek Energy Center
  • 100-megawatt Pine River Energy Center

State officials emphasized the grid benefits of energy storage facilities.

"Energy storage helps ensure grid resilience and speeds up the transition to cleaner sources of electricity," the state release said.

Developer Requirements Under New Rules

Huron County commissioners voted 5-1 on February 24 to approve text amendments for large-scale solar energy and battery storage projects. The changes require developers to enter into formal agreements with host communities, including a $2,000-per-megawatt payment to the county.

Expert Opinion: Balance Caution with Progress

Dr. Scott Dell, an assistant professor at Ferris State University, attended the Big Rapids Township meeting and offered a balanced perspective.

"AI is changing every hour — no longer every month or every week — and in six weeks we might have fusion power that is cost effective," Dell said. "Being proactive is good, but being anti I think is bad."

He warned against preemptive bans without understanding future technology.

"We don't want to ban it because we don't know what is coming," Dell said.

What Happens Next

The Huron County Planning Commission must decide at their April 1 hearing whether to move forward with the six-month moratorium. Commissioners will consider public input and begin drafting comprehensive regulations that address community concerns while allowing for appropriate development.

The county has already approved text amendments requiring host community agreements and financial payments, but the moratorium would provide additional time to develop ordinances addressing water usage, noise pollution, power grid strain, and fire safety concerns.

Residents and stakeholders will closely watch the April 1 hearing to determine Huron County's stance on one of the most significant energy infrastructure debates facing Michigan communities.