LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and four advocacy groups have filed a petition for a rehearing with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), challenging the commission’s expedited approval of two special contracts tied to a proposed 1.4-gigawatt AI data center in Saline Township.
The MPSC conditionally approved DTE Energy’s contracts on Dec. 18 and gave the utility company 30 days to formally accept the conditions. Nessel argues that the commission lacks statutory authority to approve the agreements without a contested case hearing and is seeking a rehearing.
In her filing, Nessel also seeks clarity on the scope and enforceability of the conditions the commission attached. She contends many of the conditions appear to rely on DTE’s assurances rather than binding requirements of the utility or its customer.
Nessel raised concerns about DTE’s role as a financial “backstop” in lieu of collateral requirements as ordered by the MPSC, and said a formal proceeding is needed to evaluate ratepayer protections—including collateral and exit fees—if the customer fails to buy the projected electricity, leaves the state before the contract ends or goes bankrupt…