Data center company Crane Data Centers pushed for electricity infrastructure legislation in Hubbard, Ohio
Crane Data Centers actively lobbied Hubbard, Ohio's mayor and city council to approve legislation for selling a city-owned transmission line, which was crucial for its proposed data center project. Email records reveal the company's persistent efforts to influence the legislative timeline and secure the sale to American Municipal Power. The city council ultimately passed the legislation, but the mayor clarified that the sale also addressed long-standing power grid issues and is now with the board of control.
A watchdog report revealed that San Francisco-based Crane Data Centers engaged in extensive discussions with Hubbard, Ohio's Mayor Ben Kyle for over a year, primarily focusing on legislation to sell a city-owned transmission line to American Municipal Power (AMP). Email records indicate that Crane Data Centers contacted Mayor Kyle at least a half-dozen times, advocating for the timely sale of this critical infrastructure to ensure the viability of their proposed data center development in the city.
Mayor Kyle, in an email to Crane in July, acknowledged the lengthy and uncertain asset purchase process but affirmed the city's desire to keep the project moving. A day later, Crane emphasized the need for a swift decision to maintain the project's viability. In October, Crane was informed by the mayor that the transmission line sale was progressing positively. By November, Mayor Kyle reassured Crane's CIO that the legislative process for the sale had begun, with a vote expected by year-end, expressing hope for its passage.
Councilman Mike Kerr, who introduced the legislation to sell the transmission line, stated that these discussions were ongoing for years due to Hubbard's existing power deficiencies and were primarily intended to secure a substation for the city. He denied any knowledge of Crane Data Centers' efforts to expedite the timeline. Kerr maintained that the legislation was not related to the data center project.
In December, the Hubbard City Council unanimously passed the legislation. Mayor Kyle stated that it was never disclosed that this vote would directly advance Project Milo, Crane's data center project, as the legislation would have passed regardless to address the city's aging electrical infrastructure. Five days later, Crane congratulated Mayor Kyle on the "great news," with the mayor confirming their involvement in monitoring the utility situation. However, the mayor noted that the sale of the transmission line has not yet materialized and is currently with the board of control.