Businesses: other; water and electricity usage reporting requirements for data centers; provide for. Creates new act.

Michigan House Bill 6265, introduced on August 26, 2026, requires owners or operators of data centers in Michigan to submit annual reports detailing their water and electricity consumption. These reports must be filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission by March 1 each year, starting in 2028, and should cover the previous calendar year's total water and electricity usage, as well as the sources of the water consumed. The bill aims to enhance transparency regarding the environmental impact of data centers and assist policymakers in addressing related concerns. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB6265/2025?utm_source=openai))

While specific media coverage of HB 6265 is limited, the bill aligns with ongoing discussions in Michigan about regulating data center resource usage. For instance, in June 2026, Michigan Senate Democrats proposed regulations to cap water usage and require data centers to prepay for power costs, reflecting a legislative trend toward increased oversight of data centers' environmental impact. ([wkar.org](https://www.wkar.org/wkar-news/2026-06-18/new-data-center-regulations-proposed-in-the-michigan-senate?utm_source=openai))

As of now, there is no significant negative media coverage or public backlash specifically targeting HB 6265. However, broader concerns about data centers' environmental impact have been noted, such as a 2026 report highlighting potential increases in electricity rates due to data center demand. ([9and10news.com](https://www.9and10news.com/2026/07/08/michigan-analysts-detail-data-center-water-use-energy-concerns/?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, in April 2026, a Michigan utility approved a 12-month ban on supplying water to data centers, indicating local apprehension about resource consumption by these facilities. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-24/michigan-utility-ban-supplying-water-for-data-centers?utm_source=openai))