Residents sign petition for partial data center ban

Efforts to restrict data centers in Ohio are escalating, with residents in Niles signing a petition to propose a statewide ban on large-scale data center development. Michael Neenan reported on the event where people gathered at El Jalapeno to support the initiative. The petition seeks to add an amendment to the November ballot that would prohibit the construction of any data center requiring over 25 megawatts of energy monthly. Supporters cite environmental concerns, as well as potential strains on the local power grid and water supply. The initiative was launched in early March by Conserve Ohio, a political action committee that organizes local volunteer efforts to collect signatures across the state. The organization views data centers as a significant turning point for the state, believing that such a decision should be made directly by the people. Conserve Ohio aims to collect over 413,000 signatures from at least 44 Ohio counties by the July 1st deadline to qualify for the ballot. While confident they can meet this goal, others have expressed concern about the proposed amendment. One local leader argues that such decisions should remain with individual communities and municipalities, emphasizing that no two data centers or communities are alike, and therefore, local communities should retain autonomy in approving or rejecting such projects.