University of Michigan selects site for Los Alamos computing center

According to U-M, the facility will contain an academic computing center supporting university researchers and a federal research computing center supporting Los Alamos National Laboratory’s scientific mission, which will include computational modeling to ensure the safety and reliability of the nation’s existing nuclear stockpile without live testing and national security research into areas like energy infrastructure and cybersecurity.

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“Universities like Michigan are built by generations willing to invest in discoveries and opportunities they may never live to see,” U-M President Domenico Grasso said in a statement. “We have that same responsibility today – to build for the students, researchers and communities who will follow us. And as we move this project forward, we are equally committed to listening to our neighbors, answering their questions and working with the community to ensure we develop this site responsibly.”

Township officials and residents oppose the project, arguing the university has not engaged with them in a transparent way. The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in March opposing the development of a facility used for nuclear research within the township.

The community has also raised concerns over the facility’s environmental impacts, and the security of housing a federal research facility in a community with proximity to Willow Run Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Following the announcement, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) criticized the university for choosing to move forward with the project in Ypsilanti Township, despite the community’s protest.

“I have repeatedly urged the University to listen to the impacted community, be transparent, and answer basic questions about the impact of this project. Instead, they have rebuffed these concerns and are ignoring the pleas from residents that do not want this,” Dingell said in a statement. To make matters worse, Ypsilanti Township would see little benefit from an institution that pays no property taxes. You cannot claim to value community input and then ignore the community when you do not like what it has to say. I will continue demanding transparency, accountability, and answers.”

Ypsilanti Township board gives full support to resolution opposing Los Alamos research facility

Douglas Winters, the township’s attorney, told Michigan Advance the decision to site the facility in Ypsilanti Township was a textbook example of environmental racism, noting the economic disparity between Ann Arbor and the eastern side of Washtenaw County, alongside the township’s higher population of Black and brown residents. 

While the university committed to following the principles of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth Pledge for data centers, Winters says that promise does not offer any relief to the township. 

“It’s not enforceable,” Winters said. “Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts give a pledge.”

Paul Brown, a member of the university’s Board of Regents also issued a statement opposing the choice of a project site.

“When our developments affect communities, we have a responsibility to involve the people who live there,” Brown said. “Here, the University has failed to engage in an adequate conversation with those most affected, and I cannot stand by and support this project being shoved down their throats, in a way that looks like environmental racism. My opposition is driven by the fact that this site is currently in its natural state, is on the Huron River, and most importantly, is opposed by the local residents.”

In its announcement, the university said it would hold a town hall in Ypsilanti Township on Sept. 9 to discuss the project, with additional details on the gathering to be announced.