Ohio lawmakers created a bipartisan committee to get 'accurate, relevant' info on data centers
Ohio lawmakers have established a bipartisan joint committee to investigate public concerns about data centers, including their land and water usage, utility costs, and environmental impact. This initiative responds to growing alarms from communities, some of which have already implemented moratoriums on new data center construction. Separately, an effort to pass a constitutional amendment banning large data centers in Ohio is also underway.
Ohio lawmakers have formed a new bipartisan Ohio Joint Data Center Committee to address increasing public concerns over data center development across the state. The committee, comprising six Republicans and two Democrats from both the House and Senate, will conduct fact-finding efforts to gather information on the industry's land and water use, utility costs, and job creation claims.
Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) and Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) co-chair the committee, which plans to bring in experts, government officials, agencies, and citizens to foster more informed opinions on data center development. Holmes noted that initiatives to limit data center development have become a priority issue for them, acknowledging the potential impact on Ohio's future.
Concerns raised by residents include higher energy costs, environmental damage, tax incentives that may not yield expected economic returns, and a lack of transparency in construction. There are also worries about the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom driving many projects. The committee's formation comes as some Ohio communities have already enacted moratoriums on new data centers.
In parallel, a separate effort is ongoing to place a constitutional amendment on Ohio's November ballot that would ban data centers consuming more than 25 megawatts monthly. Volunteer groups are currently collecting the necessary 413,487 signatures from half of Ohio's 88 counties by a July 1 deadline.