William Lawrence Flips 1 Michigan House Seat After Running on Affordability, Data Centers
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Nov 10
William Lawrence Flips 1 Michigan House Seat After Running on Affordability, Data Centers
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Nov 10
Summary
William Lawrence, a Democrat and Sunrise Movement co-founder, won a Michigan House seat last week, flipping the district after centering his campaign more on affordability and data centers than on climate.
Lawrence said that local anger over data centers is distorting the energy-transition debate in his district, with residents linking new transmission lines to power demand from those facilities.
He warned that unless lawmakers address data centers, backlash against them could also harden opposition to clean-energy projects and transmission build-out.
In Congress, Lawrence said he hopes a bipartisan permitting bill does not pass in the lame-duck session, arguing it would give large corporations too much power over local communities.