*## Two Kalamazoo County Townships Join Growing Trend of Halting Data Center and Battery Storage Development*

PORTAGE, MI — Oshtemo Charter Township and Portage City have both moved forward with moratoriums on battery energy storage systems and data centers, joining a growing list of local governments across Michigan and the country responding to concerns about infrastructure strain, safety risks and environmental impact.

The two southwestern Michigan jurisdictions took different approaches to the same issue, with Oshtemo pushing back against claims of stalled progress while Portage directed staff to prepare draft legislation for future consideration.

"Most of this work happens at the staff level before a draft is ready for public review, and that's exactly what is occurring now," said Oshtemo Township Planning Director Jodi Stefforia in a statement released April 7.

The township passed a one-year moratorium in November 2025 on developing battery energy storage system facilities. Residents have raised concerns about safety risks and disruption caused by such facilities.

Oshtemo: Drafting in Progress, Public Input Expected

Oshtemo officials are seeking input from experts to ensure the ordinance reflects current best practices. The internal draft ordinance is currently 27 pages, with additional technical appendices in the works.

Township officials are seeking input from experts to ensure the ordinance reflects current best practices. Public sector and academic guest speakers will address the Planning Commission at its Thursday, April 9 meeting.

"We have time, and we are using that time responsibly," said Oshtemo Township Supervisor Cheri Bell. "Our focus is getting this right for Oshtemo, not rushing to meet someone else's timeline."

After the research phase, a draft will go to the Planning Commission for review at a public meeting and at least one formal public hearing to gather community input. The Planning Commission will then make a recommendation to the township board, which will include additional opportunities for public comment at first and second reading.

Portage: Directing Staff to Prepare Moratorium Ordinance

Portage City Council unanimously voted on March 24 to move forward with an ordinance that would establish a temporary moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage systems. The action does not immediately enact the moratorium. Instead, it directs city staff to prepare an amendment to the city code for future council consideration.

According to the meeting agenda, the proposed change would amend Chapter 42 of the city code to establish a temporary moratorium on the developments. If adopted at a future meeting, the moratorium would pause new development related to data centers and battery storage systems while the city considers how to regulate them.

City officials did not specify the length of the proposed moratorium during the March 24 meeting.

"The move comes as local governments across Michigan and the country grapple with how to regulate data centers, which require significant infrastructure, including land, electricity and water," the story continued.

The Portage action represents an early step toward potential local regulation, with additional council action required before any moratorium takes effect.

National and State Context

At the federal level, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced plans on March 25 for their own moratorium to introduce legislation aimed at pausing certain artificial intelligence and data center development while federal standards are considered.

The growth of data centers has brought increased scrutiny. In some communities across the U.S., residents and local officials have raised concerns about the large amounts of electricity required to operate data centers, potential strain on local power grids, water use for cooling systems, and noise from cooling equipment and backup generators.

At the same time, developers and some policymakers point to potential economic benefits, including tax revenue, infrastructure investment and job creation.

Local Precedents in Southwest Michigan

While moratoriums on data centers have been discussed in other parts of the country, they remain relatively uncommon at the municipal level in southwest Michigan. Similar concerns have surfaced locally.

In Pavilion Township, officials last year delayed consideration of a proposed data center project after residents raised concerns during public meetings. A real estate firm, Franklin Partners, had requested a zoning change to allow what it described as data warehousing facilities.

The Oshtemo and Portage actions represent early steps toward potential local regulation, with additional council action required before any moratorium takes effect.

Sources:

  • MLive: Oshtemo Township responds to concerns about energy storage ordinance progress, https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/04/oshtemo-township-responds-to-concerns-about-energy-storage-ordinance-progress.html
  • Watershed Voice: Portage moves toward data center pause as concerns grow nationwide, https://watershedvoice.com/2026/03/25/portage-moves-toward-data-center-pause-as-concerns-grow-nationwide/