Op-ed: data centers not the enemy
Ohio has paused new data center tax exemptions for review, which critics argue puts the state at a competitive disadvantage. This comes amidst a national campaign, partly influenced by foreign interests and activist groups, pushing for a federal moratorium on new AI data center construction, raising concerns about US leadership in AI.
An opinion piece from The VW Independent argues against the growing anti-data center movement, which it claims is driven by a coordinated narrative from outside influencers and well-funded campaigns, some with foreign ties. The article highlights the recent decision by Ohio to pause new data center tax exemptions while the General Assembly's Joint Data Center Committee studies the industry's growth, suggesting this move could harm the state's competitiveness against 37 other states offering incentives.
The piece details efforts by organizations like Green America, which launched a "Dirty Data" campaign in 2025, and a coordinated letter from over 230 environmental and progressive organizations to Congress in December 2025, demanding a nationwide moratorium. This led to Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introducing the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act (S.4214) in March 2026. The article cites an April 2026 American Energy Institute report documenting over $39 million in foreign funding to U.S. activist groups opposing data center development, and raises concerns about foreign influence, including Chinese state media echoing activist talking points. It advocates for a realistic energy transition plan that acknowledges current AI demands and grid limits, rather than a "green energy now" approach.