Story perspectives

OpenAI, Oracle Break Ground on $16B AI Center; Residents Protest

6/2/2026

Summary

OpenAI, Oracle Launch

OpenAI and Oracle broke ground on the $16 billion “The Barn” center in Saline Township, Michigan.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the project will create jobs, 450 permanent, and yield $150 million in yearly tax revenue and $8 million for schools.
Oracle CEO Clay Magouyrk said the cooling system will use less water than the farmland it replaces.
Residents such as Sarah Brabbs have protested over water, noise, traffic and other impacts.

Summary

DTE Energy Buys

DTE Energy agreed to spend $1.6 billion on lithium-iron-phosphate batteries from LG Energy Solution for Oracle’s Saline data center.
The purchase will fund eight 1.5-gigawatt battery systems, with five dedicated to the Saline facility.
Altman said the added storage provides spare capacity that could keep local electricity rates stable or lower them.
OpenAI and Oracle pledged $10 million to build a Saline Recreation Center as part of their community-investment plan.

History

Historical Context

In March 2021 Pat Gelsinger unveiled Intel’s IDM 2.0 plan, prompting a $20 billion chip fab announced for New Albany, Ohio in 2022. Intel also broke ground on a new fab in Chandler, Arizona, sparking job growth and water-use concerns. Today OpenAI and Oracle’s $16 billion Saline data center in Michigan faces similar community scrutiny, backed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

1 of 3

OpenAI, Oracle Launch

OpenAI and Oracle broke ground on the $16 billion “The Barn” center in Saline Township, Michigan.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the project will create jobs, 450 permanent, and yield $150 million in yearly tax revenue and $8 million for schools.
Oracle CEO Clay Magouyrk said the cooling system will use less water than the farmland it replaces.
Residents such as Sarah Brabbs have protested over water, noise, traffic and other impacts.

1 / 3