Skubick

“Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up.”

That poignant little phase has been part of our political fabric for years. You name the issue and it applies. Someone against something knows they are right and those in favor feel the same way.

For example back when one of the growth industries in our state was building prisons to house the 50,000 occupants clamoring to get a bunk, NIMBY was the code word that personified the mind made up mentality. Not in My Backyard.

We are much more advanced now with more complicated issues and, of course, data centers are at the center of this latest brew-ha-ha.

There appears to be no middle ground on this one. Large corporations and utilities see dollars signs. Large portions of the citizenry could care less. They see their towns laid waste to these hyper-megawatt behemoths.

Adding to the mix, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a bi-partisan legislature made Michigan even more alluring to these venture capitalist with state tax breaks if they come in. Couple that with the state’s attractive natural resources and let’s just say lots of communities are being invaded with proposals and the opposition has made up it’s collective mind and is fighting back.

Enter the debate is the 100 year old research entity the Michigan Citizens Research Council or CRC for short, with a report that purports to uncover some facts for everyone’s consideration.

In a media briefing the other day, CRC investigator Eric Dennis was asked on balance are these centers a plus or a minus for Michigan?

Researchers hate these simple question because they know many of these issues are not a black and white question. The gradations of gray often prevent a simple answer to this simple question.

Bravely, however, he waded in.

“As a general concept I would say yes but there might be specific cases where the opposite might be true,” as he gave himself a neat escape clause.

However as he did his deep dive, it became clear that he concludes some of the local uproar and the media coverage may be a tad off key. The local media thrives on this kind of “little guy vs. the big guy’s story-line” but some of the headlines could be blown out of proportion. There’s another old saying, “don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.”

“I can understand the concerns but I think the concerns are often over exaggerated.”

Take the oft heard argument that these plants would suck up so much juice from utilities that the poor schlub at home could try to turn on the air conditioner and get nada.

Mr. Dennis says not true. The plants will be on a different power grid than locals and there is no cross pollination of the mega and regular lines.

Opponents argue, the bad guys will find some way to raise residential rates if these plants fail.

First there is a state law that says that can’t happen but some could argue that could be challenged in court and depending on the verdict, the little guy could get stuck with the bill.

Mr. Dennis counters higher rates are “not likely” and in reality, “it is more likely to reduce future rate increases.”

These hyper plants need water to cool the joint. Locals wonder if they will eventually use so much H20 it will turn the Great Lakes into the Great Ponds.

He concedes that given the water shed in some communities that could be a factor but overall this is not “a significant risk.”

The locals, however, find some ammunition in the research to fight the “enemy.”

The governor, some lawmakers and a unified business community argue if Michigan doesn’t get in this game, all those jobs and technology will go to other states.

The CRC found that while there is a temporary boon in construction jobs to build these beasts, after the cement has dried, Mr. Dennis feels you might end up with about 100 permanent jobs on sight. “It’s not a reliable economic approach (but) it could be a game changer for local governments (but) not much impact on the state budget,” which is what the gov. et.al. were not hoping to hear.

Also in favor of the opposition, the findings suggest there could be a noise pollution problem and local community temperatures could increase. “This could change a 90 degree temperature into a 95 degree day for the area immediately around the data center,” Mr. D. indicates.

Interestingly, so far local officials have not focused on those two potential critical ramifications, but the CRC suggests close attention should be taken when environmental impact statements are performed before final decisions are made.

Bottom line, there is now new information on the table for both sides to digest, but the betting money in this town is these new “facts” are not likely to lower the temperature for citizens who firmly believe this is still a bad idea no matter what.