A construction ban on data centers would be better for Ohio than the status quo, study says
A Scioto Analysis cost-benefit study says Ohio would receive greater public benefit from requiring new data centers to use 90% renewable energy or banning new construction than from maintaining current policies. The analysis cites rising electricity demand, pollution, subsidies and uncertain long-term economic benefits as major concerns, while acknowledging that the findings depend heavily on job-creation assumptions.
A cost-benefit analysis by Columbus-based Scioto Analysis examined five possible paths for Ohio data center development from 2027 through 2034. It found that requiring new facilities to use 90% renewable energy would produce the highest estimated public benefit, while a ban on new construction would also outperform the status quo by preserving benefits from existing facilities while reducing pressure on electricity prices and pollution.
The study estimates that all currently planned projects could cause Ohio data centers’ electricity use and carbon emissions to more than triple by 2028. Scioto Analysis principal Rob Moore said the analysis accounts for pollution and other costs imposed on the public, while the report cautioned that its conclusions could change if data centers create substantially more or fewer jobs than projected.