LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Michigan State Representative Jennifer Wortz (R-QUINCY) has addressed growing resident anxiety over data center and green energy projects, clarifying that private firms cannot use eminent domain to seize residential or agricultural land.
While affirming that technology and energy companies lack condemnation authority, Wortz warned that state and local government actions—including rezoning, tax incentives, and infrastructure planning—can still drastically alter rural communities.
Wortz says, ‘The green energy mandate passed in 2023 has also accelerated the demand for solar, wind, and battery storage facilities. Since the tax credits for data centers require 90% of the energy to come from a “renewable source,” more data centers will only lead to more land being rented for solar, wind, and battery facilities’.
She added “Landowners should also approach every proposed agreement with caution. Developers often seek options to purchase land, easements for utilities, or access agreements years before construction begins. Those documents can have lasting legal and financial consequences. Before signing anything, property owners should consult an attorney who represents their interests, not the interests of the developer”.
Rural communities that once expected to see their farms, forests, and open land preserved for generations are now fighting back against proposals for sprawling industrial campuses that require massive amounts of electricity, water, and supporting infrastructure.
She urged citizens to actively participate in public planning processes and to seek legal counsel before signing land agreements with developers. Emphasizing that economic growth should not bypass transparency, Wortz stated that communities must ensure development projects protect both property rights and the rural landscape for future generations.
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