Cascade Township has frozen consideration of data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities after residents raised alarms about water contamination and crumbling infrastructure.

The township board unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on Wednesday. The pause gives officials time to study the potential impact of these energy-intensive facilities before making any long-term decisions.

A community already fighting for clean water

The moratorium lands in a neighborhood where residents are still dealing with PFAS contamination in their drinking water. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" and are linked to certain types of cancer after long-term exposure.

Tom Gottlick, a Cascade Township resident whose water supply contains PFAS, told reporters he does not believe the township can handle the added strain.

"Clean drinking water for the people that are living here now, that needs to be the priority, that just absolutely needs to be the priority."

Gottlick was blunt when asked whether Cascade could support a data center.

"No, because if they can't handle the infrastructure lack thereof right now, there's no way that Cascade could handle a data center."

A proactive pause, not a reaction

Township Supervisor Grace Lesperance emphasized that the moratorium was not triggered by any specific developer proposal. She confirmed that no data center developers have approached the township.

"I think it would be premature at this time to form an opinion about yes or no, but certainly there's some major concerns, and we want to make sure that whatever we do decide is based on a lot of information, and that it doesn't affect residents negatively."

Lesperance said the moratorium covers data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, and similar emerging land uses. The six-month pause can be extended for up to one additional year if the township determines it needs more time.

Lesperance acknowledged the limits of local authority on the PFAS crisis. Contamination is regulated and funded at the state level, leaving the township with limited tools to address it.

"We don't need to welcome a whole new problem that we don't even know the effects of before we've got enough on our plate with clean water in Cascade Township."

She added that she is personally "very hesitant towards allowing any data centers in Cascade Township right now."

What happens next

Township staff are working with legal counsel to draft a long-term ordinance addressing data centers and similar facilities, regardless of the eventual outcome of the moratorium.

Federal officials are also examining data center water use and environmental impacts as the national conversation around these facilities intensifies.

For residents like Gottlick, the message is clear.

"Take care of the people here first before you start bringing in something that could have a detriment to the community."

The moratorium takes effect immediately and will expire in six months unless the township board votes to extend it.