NEW POLL: Michiganders Overwhelmingly Oppose Federal Policies Speeding Up Data Center Buildout

Lansing, Mich. –  As Vice President JD Vance came to Michigan to fundraise and President Trump expressed disdain for communities with concerns about data centers, a new statewide survey from EPIC-MRA finds that a majority of Michigan voters strongly oppose federal actions that encourage and incentivize the rapid AI data center buildout. 

EPIC-MRA President Bernie Porn issued the following statement: 

“Elected officials who are pushing data centers are finding their approval ratings heading the wrong way, including Donald Trump cratering to 30% positive job rating in this survey. The eye-popping opposition of 73% against federal tax breaks and policies to speed up data center development should be a flashing red sign to policymakers.”

Key findings:

• 73% of Michigan voters oppose “current federal tax breaks and other federal policies that were put in place to encourage and speed up the development of data centers” – including 67% of respondents who had a favorable view of Trump
• 62% of Michigan voters oppose “the development of data center facilities in Michigan”

Climate Power Michigan Director Tom Lenard issued the following statement: 

“Michiganders who raise concerns about AI data centers are not ‘backwards,’ they are right to use their voices to make sure we protect our water, air, and wallets. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have taken cleaner, cheaper energy options off the table and doubled down on energy-guzzling data centers at the same time. Michigan residents deserve to get real answers – not to be gaslit about the real dangers of pollution and skyrocketing costs by unpopular politicians who only care about their own bottom line.”

The survey was conducted August 22-28, 2026, of 600 likely November 2026 voters (margin of error ±4.0 points), and was commissioned by Climate Power.

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