LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – One Michigan congressman is powering up the data center debate, arguing that communities should not be trampled by big corporations and politicians pushing projects without local input.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, who is running for reelection in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District against Democrat William Lawrence, has introduced two bills designed to give communities more control over what gets built in their neighborhoods.

Staying local.

The first, the Protecting Local Control of Data Centers Act, would prohibit federal agencies from overriding local land-use, zoning, siting or permitting authority involving data center projects. It would also prevent federal agencies from using federal funding to pressure state and local governments into giving up that authority.

The second bill addresses nondisclosure agreements, or NDAs. The No Data Center NDAs Act would prohibit members of Congress from signing NDAs related to data centers, addressing concerns over federal, state and local officials in Michigan signing secrecy agreements involving proposed corporate projects.

“Families in our communities are understandably concerned about the effect data centers could have on their communities. They deserve to have all the facts about any proposed project and the final say about what gets built,” Barrett said.

NDAs in Michigan.

Criticism of NDAs is not new in Michigan. Critics argue that confidentiality measures can extend beyond protecting legitimate corporate trade secrets and instead shield decisions involving taxpayer money, public officials and land use from public scrutiny.

As Michigan News Source previously reported, NDAs became an issue surrounding the proposed Eagle Township megasite in Clinton County. Records showed former Township Supervisor Patti Schafer and the township board signed confidentiality agreements with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in 2022.

Similar controversy surrounded the now-defunct Gotion electric vehicle battery project near Big Rapids. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $125 million grant for the proposed project, along with up to $50 million for site-readiness activities. The project was expected to generate more than $2.3 billion in private investment.