Southfield council to vote on 12-acre data center proposal Monday Southfield City Council reviewed plans for a 12-acre data center site on Inkster Road. Developer Metrobloks emphasizes the project’s smaller scale — 100 megawatts versus typical 1,000-megawatt facilities — and a closed-loop water system minimizing utility impact. Council President Pro Tem Coretta Houge expressed concerns about the visibily on the facility’s energy and water usage for residents. The Planning Commission approved the plan, but final council approval is pending at the Dec. 15 meeting. Source: Southfield Sun
DTE-backed group gave $1.3M to Whitmer, Hall funds Michigan Energy First, backed by DTE Energy, donated $550,000 to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s nonprofit and $750,000 to House Speaker Matt Hall’s connected account in 2024. The disclosures emerged as the Michigan Public Service Commission — with Whitmer appointees — weighs DTE’s massive Saline Township data center plans and recently approved a 5% rate increase. Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized utilities’ political spending, while DTE maintains contributions are legal and deny expecting favors. Source: The Detroit News
HUD pulls $3.9 billion aid plan hours before federal court hearing The Trump administration withdrew its controversial plan to redirect $3.9 billion in federal homelessness aid away from Housing First programs toward time-limited, work-focused initiatives. HUD cited “technical” issues but reaffirmed its policy direction. The withdrawal came before a federal hearing on two lawsuits challenging the changes, which critics said could displace 170,000 people. The move creates uncertainty for thousands of homeless aid programs awaiting funding rules. Source: The New York Times…