Brian Allnutt
brianallnutt.bsky.social
Brian Allnutt
@brianallnutt.bsky.social
Environmental reporter with Planet Detroit.

I cover the climate crisis, utilities, environmental justice, politics, and open space.

Reach out via Signal at brianallnutt.27
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
A protest is planned for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Van Buren Township Hall. The proposed data center would use as much as 3.6 million gallons of water a day, according to the township. planetdetroit.org/2026/01/van-...
Data center protest in Van Buren Township targets 1-gigawatt proposal
Demonstrators to protest a proposed data center in Van Buren Township, highlighting concerns over water usage, energy demands, and local impact.
planetdetroit.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:22 PM
A protest is planned for tonight ahead of a Van Buren Township Planning Commission meeting as the township considers plans for an 800,000-square-foot data center. @planetdetroit.org
Data center protest in Van Buren Township targets 1-gigawatt proposal
Demonstrators to protest a proposed data center in Van Buren Township, highlighting concerns over water usage, energy demands, and local impact.
planetdetroit.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Approval for a 1.8-million-square-foot data center depends on review of sound study and energy audit, Lyon Township says. planetdetroit.org/2026/01/lyon...
Lyon Township 'may be revisiting' data center site plan: Residents pack meeting
Lyon Township residents express concerns about a proposed data center's impact on water, air quality, and energy.
planetdetroit.org
January 13, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Put on a show for this band in college. Still sounds pretty good.
The Butterflies of Love - Wild
YouTube video by leonorabora
m.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Allen Park residents say they’re concerned the data center could increase electric rates, while developers say the project will have minimal impacts. planetdetroit.org/2026/01/alle...
Allen Park officials postpone decision on 26-megawatt data center
A decision on the 26-megawatt data center in Allen Park is delayed for further studies, as residents voice concerns about air pollution and electric bills.
planetdetroit.org
January 9, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Democratic candidate says legislation is needed to safeguard environment and ratepayers from data center impacts: buff.ly/FIqgWBr
Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed presents 'terms of engagement' for data centers
Abdul El-Sayed presents a framework for reviewing data center plans in Michigan, emphasizing community protections and energy laws.
planetdetroit.org
January 9, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Proposed 26 megawatt data center near I-94 is part of a “cluster” of Metro Detroit facilities planned by Solstice Data: buff.ly/ycq4iFG
Protesters to rally against Allen Park data center before planning vote
Allen Park Planning Commission to review 26-megawatt data center proposal; protest planned over energy and environmental concerns.
planetdetroit.org
January 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
"The Michiganders for Money Out of Politics, or MMOP, ballot initiative is 'probably the necessary precondition for getting data center legislation'"

Reporting from @brianallnutt.bsky.social @planetdetroit.org on the influence of utility $ in data center fights:

planetdetroit.org/2025/12/mich...
'Erosion of trust': Michigan legislators push back on flood of data center proposals
Michigan lawmakers propose data center bills as protests highlight water, energy, and transparency issues.
planetdetroit.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:23 PM
“This looks like a Boston massacre”
January 8, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Another bad air quality day in Metro Detroit. May be a good day to mask up.
January 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Pollution from closed-loop cooling systems, wetland destruction are among the issues aired at EGLE hearing on Oracle, OpenAI data center’s wetland permit. planetdetroit.org/2025/12/sali...
Data center is threat to Saline River, residents say in wetlands hearing
Michigan regulators held a wetlands hearing for Oracle and OpenAI data center development near the Saline River.
planetdetroit.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
There are a lot of great groups where I live (Detroit) doing this kind of work. I am going to list some along with donate links below. If you have some good ones to add I would love to see it. And if you are feeling comfortable this holiday season I hope you'll consider a donation.
December 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
The $7 billion, 1.4 gigawatt Oracle and OpenAI data center is planned for 575 acres of farmland south of Ann Arbor. planetdetroit.org/2025/12/dte-...
DTE Energy’s Saline data center contracts win quick state approval, despite uproar
The $7 billion, 1.4 gigawatt Oracle and OpenAI data center is planned for 575 acres of farmland south of Ann Arbor.
planetdetroit.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Public officials and residents at Michigan Capitol rally say there’s nonpartisan, statewide opposition to “secret deals,” as DTE Energy urges regulators to quickly approve contracts for a $7 billion Oracle and OpenAI data center. @planetdetroit.org
Data center protest at Michigan Capitol aims to pressure regulators ahead of DTE Energy decision
Protesters at Michigan Capitol rally say they want transparency and safeguards for the community and environment in data center proposals.
planetdetroit.org
December 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Van Buren Township residents express concern about pollution, ratepayer impacts from proposed 1 gigawatt data center: planetdetroit.org/2025/12/van-...
'Project Cannoli': Developer pitches 1-gigawatt data center for Van Buren Township
Van Buren Township residents voice concerns over a proposed 1-gigawatt data center, highlighting potential environmental and financial impacts.
planetdetroit.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
The University of Michigan has failed to act transparently or coordinate with local officials on data center project, says state Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. buff.ly/AQ5k7Xy
Lawmakers introduce bill to cancel $100 million University of Michigan data center grant
Efforts underway to withdraw $100 million state grant for University of Michigan's data center project in Ypsilanti Township.
planetdetroit.org
December 11, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Township residents press for a data center moratorium following an informal proposal for a 1 gigawatt facility. planetdetroit.org/2025/12/york...
York Township residents sound alarm about proliferation of data centers in Washtenaw County
An informal data center proposal in York Township raises concerns about energy demands, water usage, and potential impacts on the local power grid and environment.
planetdetroit.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Howell Township official expects developers to resubmit application for the $1 billion project when six-month data center moratorium ends. planetdetroit.org/2025/12/bill...
Data center developers hit pause on $1 billion Howell Township proposal: 'The right thing to do now'
Developers of a proposed $1 billion data center in Howell Township withdraw a rezoning request after resident pushback, passage of six-month moratorium.
planetdetroit.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The air is, once again, garbage. Airnow dot gov is showing lower levels, but my home monitor was rather high this morning. Hoping a change in wind direction today and tomorrow improves things.
December 6, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Updated story on today's MPSC hearing. “This is your chance to provide some equality between big tech, government, and the people," Augusta Township resident Wendy Albers said, requesting the MPSC open a contested case on the Saline Township data center. @planetdetroit.org
December 5, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The 25 days of fishmas is giving me hope in a dark time
Truly all about that base: Suwannee bass prefers neutral/slightly basic waters, like those provided by springs emanating from limestone aquifers. In the Suwannee River, they’re not often found in places where the acidic character of the Okefenokee Swamp dominates stream composition #25DaysofFishmas
December 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
A virtual hearing on DTE’s plans to power a $7 billion Oracle and OpenAI data center draws commenters worried about power bills, energy reliability, and environmental costs. planetdetroit.org/2025/12/dte-...
‘Get it right’: Residents urge Michigan regulators not to rush DTE deal for Saline Township data center
Concerns about a $7 billion Saline Township data center include effects on utility bills, climate objectives, and potential stranded costs.
planetdetroit.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Air quality is looking rough this morning Detroit. May be a good morning to wear an N95.
December 3, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Brian Allnutt
Bridgewater Township resident Josh LeBaron says resistance to data centers is politically unifying: “In a deeply divided country, there’s something in this issue for everyone to hate.” planetdetroit.org/2025/12/prot...
'No secret deals': Protest targets DTE's fast-moving Saline Township data center request
Around 100 people protest DTE Energy's contracts for Saline Township data center, raise concerns over transparency and potential costs to customers.
planetdetroit.org
December 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM
“We can safely assume that Hurwitz is not delivering off-the-cuff remarks. She's thought about this. She has chosen the abyss. She is far from the only one.”
Sarah Hurwitz Profanes the Holocaust
Holocaust education has worked too well for the Obama speechwriter, since when she rationalizes Israel's genocide, "I sound obscene." Maybe sit with that, Sarah
www.forever-wars.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM