Ohio Lawmakers Consider New Data Center Regulations Amid Public Concerns
Ohio residents are expressing strong opposition to the rapid expansion of data centers, citing concerns over utility rate spikes, environmental impact, and lack of transparency. Several bills are under consideration by Ohio lawmakers to introduce guardrails, limit tax exemptions, establish water usage standards, and address energy costs for data centers. The article calls on legislators to support these measures.
Residents across Ohio are raising significant concerns about the unchecked expansion of data centers within the state, which currently ranks fifth nationally with over 200 facilities. The rapid growth is criticized for leading to "backroom deals" that benefit wealthy out-of-state investors while potentially causing utility rate spikes, air pollution, water contamination, and environmental strain due to immense electricity and water consumption.
Public demand for increased transparency and accountability has prompted Ohio lawmakers to introduce several pieces of legislation. Among the proposed bills, HB 646 aims to halve sales and property tax exemptions for data centers, establish statewide water usage standards, and implement a separate utility rate for these facilities to cover energy costs. Other bills include HB 706, which would require data centers to pay for energy upgrades, HB 784 for water use reporting, and SB 374 to prevent new sales tax exemptions. The article also urges opposition to SB 294, a bill that would limit new electricity generation to natural gas, excluding renewable energy sources.