Petitioners begin gathering signatures for data center ban

The Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has verified a request for a statewide ballot measure aimed at banning large-scale data centers in Ohio. The initiative, put forth by Ohio Residents for Responsible Development, proposes an amendment that would prohibit data centers using more than 25 megawatts per month. To place this measure on the November 2026 ballot, petitioners are required to gather over 413,000 signatures—representing about 10% of the votes cast in the 2022 gubernatorial election—and submit them to the Secretary of State's office by July 1. The proposal stems from contentious data center developments across Ohio, including in Tri-State areas like Wilmington, Hamilton, Mt. Orab, and Trenton. Casey Putsch, a candidate for Ohio governor, voiced concerns about the potential environmental and public health impacts, arguing that data centers would "skyrocket the cost for everybody" by straining electricity grids and over-consuming fresh water from sources like Lake Erie, the Ohio River, and local aquifers for cooling. An unnamed industry representative countered these claims, stating that data centers are committed to covering their full cost of electricity and are actively collaborating with regulators, utilities, and grid operators nationwide to ensure fair practices. The amendment was specifically proposed by residents from Brown and Adams counties, and signatures must be collected from voters in at least half of Ohio’s 88 counties. Ohio currently hosts approximately 200 data centers, with a majority located in central Ohio.