Tag: Civic Engagement

These briefings are designed to give people clear information and a practical path to action.

What these briefings will do

Host Introduction to Cryptomining and AI Data Centers: A Community Briefing is a series of in-person and virtual events across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Organizers will cover:

• How cryptomining and AI data centers can drive rising energy demand and affect electricity rates.
• What these projects can mean for water resources, public health, and local climate commitments.
• How rural communities can end up paying the price, even when promises are made upfront.
• How residents can engage local and state decision-makers before approvals are locked in.
• A community Q&A so people can ask direct questions and get real answers.

Why this matters right now

These industries are moving quickly. Developers often show up with glossy claims about jobs and progress. But once a project is approved, it is hard to undo. That is why timing matters. If you care about your community’s future — your utility bill, your water, your local environment — the moment to speak up is before permits are granted and plans are finalized.

How you can take part in regulation and decision-making

This is how regular people influence what happens next. No special expertise required.

• Show up and learn the basics.
• Go to the briefing.
• Bring questions.
• Bring a friend.
• A room full of informed residents changes what officials are willing to approve.

Learn to ask questions that force specifics, not slogans.

• Use questions that make decision-makers deal with facts:
• How much electricity will this facility use, and what happens to rates if demand spikes?
• What new infrastructure is required, and who pays for it?
• What is the plan for water use and water protection?
• What limits will be enforceable, and who will monitor compliance?

Put your concerns in writing.

• Verbal comments are easy to shrug off. Written comments create a public record. A paper trail makes it harder for anyone to claim they “didn’t know.”

Get involved where it counts locally

• Many key decisions run through local bodies like planning commissions and other public boards. These are public processes. You are allowed to attend, speak and submit comments.

Stay focused on rules that can be enforced

• “Trust us” is not a policy. Push for requirements that can be measured and enforced: monitoring, reporting, penalties, protections for water, and clear permit conditions.

Event details

When: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Where: Register for all at: https://bit.ly/easternup

• Eastern Upper Peninsula: East Superior Room, Lake Superior State University, 650 W. Easterday Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
• Central Upper Peninsula: Whitman Commons, Northern Michigan University
• Western Upper Peninsula: Orpheum Theater, 426 Quincy St., Hancock, MI
• Northern Michigan: Virtual only

Who is participating? Community leaders and environmental organizations, including:

• Western Upper Peninsula: Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy (Hub of Michigan United Action), Up North Advocacy, Progress Michigan, The Keweenaw Mutual Aid Collective, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action, Clean Water Action, Progress Michigan
• Central Upper Peninsula: Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, Progress Michigan, Rise UP Michigan, Michigan United Action
• Eastern Upper Peninsula: Up North Advocacy, Progress Michigan, Clean Water Action, Michigan Climate Action Network, Sierra Club, Michigan United Action

Speakers (partial list)

• Audrey Gerard, Michigan United Action
• Kalvin Carter, Up North Advocacy
• Former Michigan Rep. Jenn Hill
• Abbie Hawley, MI Watershed Council
• Jackie Sawicky, National Coalition Against Cryptomining
• Shawn Merritt, chair, Planning Commission, Clark Township
• Susie Schlehuber, superintendent/school leader, Lake Superior Academy

Additional regional organizations and speakers to be confirmed.