PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – As expected, the city of Portage has put a moratorium on any new plans for data centers and electrical battery storage facilities in town, but to listen to residents, they would probably rather have them banned altogether.
During a public hearing on the moratorium proposal Tuesday night, citizens said existing data and storage plants have driven up local utility bills in communities where they are already located and pose a physical & environmental threat.
Cheryl Lathrop says her Consumers Energy bills are already high enough.
Jason Mikkelborg and Katelyn Clarey say the high-tech plants can create brand new kinds of cataclysms that most local public safety departments are not equipped to handle.
Without discussion, the council voted to impose the moratorium until the end of this year, or until they can put city zoning and ordinance amendments in place to regulate the operations.
Mayor Pro Tem Jim Pearson had this to say.
The vote was unanimous.
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