Support SB 1046: Real Water Permits, Real Public Hearings

SB 1046 requires large water users to obtain an EGLE permit, partner with a community water supply, observe a consumptive-use cap — and, before even applying, hold three genuinely accessible public hearings in the community where the water will be used, with a transcript of every comment delivered to the state. It also makes each data center’s annual water use a published public figure.

This is state environmental permitting, which constitutional autonomy does not reach. Ask your legislators to pass it — and to fix its one weakness by raising the penalties, which currently top out at $5,000 against a $1.25 billion project.