‘Uniquely evil’: Michigan residents fight against huge data center backed by top tycoons

Locals band together in David v Goliath battle against facility they say would jack up bills, increase pollution and destroy area's character

A who's who of the nation's most powerful politicians and tech tycoons are forcing through a proposal for a massive data center in rural Michigan as locals from across the political spectrum have come out in force against it, with one calling it uniquely evil".

Residents of Saline Township, Michigan, fear the $7bn center would jack up energy bills, pollute groundwater, and destroy the area's rural character. The 1.4 gigawatt center would consume as much power as Detroit, and would help derail Michigan's nation-leading transition to renewable energy.