Village of Granville voters to decide whether to ban large data centers
Granville voters will decide on a charter amendment to ban large data centers using over 25 megawatts of power, prompted by resident concerns over electricity and water usage. The Village Council approved placing the amendment on the November 3rd ballot, following a successful petition drive by local organizers. This effort is part of a broader movement in central Ohio to restrict data center development.
Voters in the Village of Granville, Ohio, will have the opportunity to decide on a charter amendment on November 3rd that would prohibit the construction of data centers consuming more than 25 megawatts of power per month. This initiative stems from growing concerns among residents regarding the significant electricity and water demands of such facilities, an amount equivalent to powering 20,000 homes monthly.
The Granville Village Council unanimously approved placing the amendment on the ballot following a successful petition drive led by local organizer Tracee Laing, who noted increasing public awareness and opposition to data center development. The effort in Granville is not isolated, with similar petition drives underway in nearby municipalities like Pataskala, Sunbury, Johnstown, and Heath, all aiming to get similar measures on local ballots.
Conserve Ohio, a grassroots organization, is also actively seeking a state constitutional amendment to block large data centers. While companies advocate for the economic benefits and job creation associated with data centers, residents and groups like Conserve Ohio are pushing for greater control over their development and resource usage. Organizers in Heath recently submitted a petition to the Licking County Board of Elections, needing 220 verified signatures to qualify.