Debbie Dingell

YPSILANTI TWP., MI — No federal dollars have been committed to a proposed $1.2 billion computing research facility for the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory near Ypsilanti.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, clarified this in a Friday release, as she shared the university’s latest response to her questions regarding the controversial project.

University president Domenico Grasso confirmed in a response to Dingell dated Thursday, Oct. 8, that while the university and Los Alamos executed a memorandum of understanding, the agreement creates no legal obligations and includes no federal funding guarantees.

Grasso was responding to questions Dingell raised in her September inquiry about the facility proposed off Textile Road near the Huron River in Ypsilanti Township.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on Nov. 25, 2024, by former U-M President Santa Ono and on Nov. 26, 2025, by Los Alamos Director Thom Mason, according to Grasso.

That document “describes the overarching proposed collaboration between U-M and LANL, but it does not authorize any work or create any performance obligations – all such activities will require separate agreements that will govern specific terms, conditions, funding, and any other contractual obligations between U-M and LANL,” he said in the response.

He also said the computing facility does not appear in the National Nuclear Security Administration’s budget profile for future years.

Despite references to a potential $300 million contribution from Los Alamos, his response repeatedly states that Los Alamos has made no commitment of funds.

However, Los Alamos has supported a portion of the site-agnostic design effort — meaning design work not tied to a specific site location — through “indirect funding,” Grasso said.

Grasso said before any funding could be allocated, the facility must be substantially complete and federal funds must be appropriated for that specific purpose.

The university would be responsible for any cost overruns, he said.

Dingell strongly opposes the project and continues to call for greater transparency.

She is continuing to request a copy of the full memorandum of understanding between the university and Los Alamos.

The congresswoman also urged the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a formal environmental review of the Textile Road site.

Dingell is also drafting a federal data center “Bill of Rights” and seeking input from the community on what the framework should be.

“I remain deeply frustrated by the lack of transparency, accountability, and meaningful communication surrounding this project,” Dingell said in her September letter.

She also noted community opposition at heated town halls the university recently held in Ypsilanti Township. She said residents have spent years seeking answers about potential impacts and the roles and responsibilities of the university and national laboratory.

“The community has been left to piece together information rather than receive clear answers from the institutions responsible for the project,” she said in the letter.

In his letter, Grasso said the university remains dedicated to addressing questions about water and energy, environmental impacts, public safety and research activities, among other concerns.

“We have committed to addressing these issues openly – and will provide the best information available as planning and design continue,” Grasso said.

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