Ohio petition aims to limit data center construction

Carroll County commissioners, including Commissioner Robert Wirkner, discussed a significant statewide initiative focused on restricting data center construction during their March 30 meeting. The Ohio Attorney General G ’s Office has certified the title and summary for a proposed constitutional amendment, submitted on March 16, titled “Prohibition of Construction of a Data Center.” This proposed amendment seeks to integrate a new section into the Ohio Constitution that would effectively prohibit most modern data center developments by imposing a strict 25-megawatt power consumption limit. To qualify for the November election ballot, proponents of the measure must collect approximately 413,000 valid signatures from registered voters by July. These signatures need to meet specific criteria, including representing at least 10% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election and fulfilling minimum thresholds in 44 of Ohio G ’s 88 counties. Commissioner Wirkner highlighted this as an opportunity for residents to voice their opposition to data centers. The ongoing discussion underscores the increasing interest and debate surrounding data center proliferation across Ohio.