Data Center Principles for MiEnergy Cooperative

MiEnergy Cooperative works to safely provide reliable, affordable and sustainable services to members’ homes, farms and businesses. It is something we’ve been doing for 90 years. As technology companies seek to locate data centers in our area, it is important that our cooperative evaluates how these facilities could impact all members’ access to electricity and long-term reliability. 

We must consider our unique local conditions, including regional demand, existing generation capacity and infrastructure needs. When conditions are right, we can collaborate with technology companies to support data centers while creating local economic opportunities and cost benefits to all members. 

A key principle governs those decisions: data center operators must pay their own way, covering the costs of infrastructure and operations required to support data center growth.

PRINCIPLES:

Local control must be preserved
MiEnergy is owned and governed locally. This local accountability ensures decisions reflect members’ priority and conditions. We must maintain authority to determine whether servicing a data center aligns with the best interests of our members and region.

Affordable, reliable electricity is non-negotiable
Reliable and affordable power underpins local economies and quality of life. Data center development must not jeopardize system reliability or increase costs for existing members. MiEnergy evaluates requests through comprehensive planning, including impacts on long-term resources, grid compatibility, community effects and overall affordability.

Members must not subsidize data center costs
A large data center can consume as much electricity as hundreds of thousands of homes that would require major investments in new generation and infrastructure. Technology companies must fully fund the infrastructure and operation costs needed to serve their facilities, protecting members from cost shifts.

Flexibility is essential
No single approach fits every co-op and its members. It important to maintain flexibility to design agreements, rates and programs that reflect local conditions while balancing risks and benefits just as we do for all members.

Coordination is critical
Electric cooperatives possess the local expertise necessary to manage grid reliability and operations. Data center developers must work closely with co-ops to ensure large new loads are planned and integrated in ways that maintain safe and reliable service for all members.