Ohio EPA consider new wastewater permits for data centers as Wilmington residents continue to fight project

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating a new general permit that would allow data centers to discharge wastewater into surface waters like rivers and streams, bypassing the slower individual permit process. The EPA asserts this change would accelerate approvals while maintaining environmental safeguards, limiting pollution increases only for critical community or economic needs. However, residents across the Tri-State area, particularly in Wilmington, Ohio, are voicing significant concerns about the potential environmental impacts of these facilities. Jessica Sharp, founder of Wilmington Residents for Responsible Development, is actively campaigning against data center rezoning and seeking to bring the decision to a November ballot vote. The opposition recently achieved a victory when a Clinton County judge issued an order for Wilmington to pause all further movement on a proposed Amazon Data Services project. This pause is intended to ensure adequate time for public input following a mediated agreement.