Ohio EPA Reverses Statewide Data Center Wastewater Permit Plan
The Ohio EPA has abandoned a proposed statewide permit for data centers to discharge wastewater, opting instead for individual permits with project-specific environmental reviews. This decision was made after receiving thousands of public comments raising concerns about potential impacts on Ohio waterways.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will no longer pursue a proposed statewide permit that would have streamlined wastewater discharge regulations for data centers. The agency's decision came after receiving thousands of public comments that highlighted concerns over the potential environmental impact on Ohio's waterways.
Instead of a single set of rules for all facilities, the Ohio EPA will now require each data center to obtain an individual permit. This new requirement mandates a project-specific environmental review for every facility, signaling a more stringent regulatory approach to data center development and operations in the state.