Ohio lawmakers tackle foreign influence in data center debate
Ohio lawmakers are debating whether foreign influence, particularly from the Chinese government, is fueling community opposition to data center construction in the state. While some officials express concerns about geopolitical forces, the Joint Data Center Committee has yet to find direct evidence of such influence in Ohio. Experts caution against dismissing local concerns as foreign plots.
During hearings before the Ohio Legislature’s Joint Data Center Committee, lawmakers are exploring the origins of widespread community opposition to data center construction, prompted by a Gallup poll showing that seven in ten Americans oppose such developments. Committee co-chair Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) raised questions about potential foreign influence, particularly from the Chinese government, on social media campaigns against data centers, even directly questioning a testifying opponent's funding.
Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), co-chair of the committee, highlighted the economic and military motivations for foreign adversaries to hinder American technological industries, including Ohio’s growing data center sector, stressing the urgency of maintaining leadership in data management. While acknowledging these concerns, Holmes stated that the committee has not yet seen direct evidence of such foreign influence specifically within Ohio.
The debate also referenced an OpenAI report identifying Chinese accounts spreading negative content about data centers, described as amplifying existing opposition. Roxana Vatanparast, a digital infrastructure expert at Capital University, emphasized that opposition to data centers is not a new phenomenon, pre-dating any recent foreign interference claims. She cautioned leaders against dismissing local concerns as "foreign plots," warning that such accusations could damage public trust in institutions.