Technology companies have set their sights on vast swaths of land in Michigan in their race to build data centers — energy-hungry facilities that power artificial intelligence, movie streaming, web browsing and other online tools.

Leaders of both DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, the state's two major regulated, investor-owned utilities, have told shareholders that multiple large data centers have expressed interest in building in Michigan. If built, those data centers would significantly increase demand for energy and lead the companies to build more electric sources, the company leaders said.

As utility leaders field inquiries from the tech sector, environmental groups and some ratepayers fear rapid data center development could send their electric bills skyrocketing and hamper the stat

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