Columbus City Council to pursue data center regulations instead of ban despite community demands
Columbus City Council is pursuing data center regulations focused on water usage, sewer discharge, and decommissioning plans, opting against a ban or moratorium despite community demands. Residents at a public hearing expressed strong opposition, advocating for a complete ban or a moratorium due to environmental and electricity concerns. The proposed laws are expected to be considered by the council after its summer recess.
Columbus City Council is moving forward with new regulations for data centers, which address water usage, sewer discharge, and decommissioning requirements, rather than implementing a ban or moratorium. Councilmember Christopher Wyche stated that the city is not proposing a ban, explaining that there are no current hyperscale data center projects within Columbus city limits, allowing for a proactive regulatory approach.
During a public hearing, numerous residents voiced their frustration and advocated for a complete ban or a moratorium on data centers. Speakers like Samantha Baker and Josh White criticized the proposed regulations as insufficient, highlighting concerns over environmental damage, excessive water and electricity consumption, and impacts on sensitive areas such as the Big Darby Creek watershed. Spencer Dirrig of the Ohio Environmental Council supported the water and sewer regulations as a starting point but called for stronger enforcement, including fines scaled to company size.
The proposed laws require data centers to provide logistical information, estimated water use, and an assessment of potential non-potable water usage. Wyche maintained that a moratorium would not address specific challenges like water usage and wastewater transparency, which the current regulations aim to tackle. Another public hearing is slated for September 16, with the proposed laws potentially being considered by the City Council following its summer recess, which concludes on August 24.