Acton, Pepper propose conditional moratorium on new data center construction
Ohio's Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Amy Acton and David Pepper, are advocating for a conditional moratorium on new data center construction across the state. They argue that the current pace of development comes with high costs for families and businesses, environmental concerns, and a lack of public transparency. If elected, they plan to implement stronger standards and prioritize brownfield sites over farmland for future data center projects.
Ohio's Democratic candidates for governor, Amy Acton and her running mate David Pepper, have announced a proposal for a conditional moratorium on new data center construction within the state. They contend that while Ohio currently hosts over 200 data centers, ranking fifth nationally, the costs associated with these developments are becoming too burdensome for residents and businesses.
If elected, Acton and Pepper pledge to establish stricter standards concerning energy consumption, environmental impact, and public transparency. Pepper specifically criticized the common practice of public officials signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent them from informing citizens about upcoming projects, calling it "outrageous" and a barrier to public trust.
Furthermore, the candidates expressed a desire to protect Ohio's valuable farmland. They advocate for prioritizing brownfields and industrial sites for data center development to minimize the destruction of agricultural land. Voters in Ohio will consider these proposals during the November 3rd gubernatorial election.