Tougher regulations likely for data centers
Hubbard voters approved a citywide ban on data centers by a 76% to 24% margin after residents raised concerns about a proposed Project Milo development near Deer Creek Golf Course. The vote reflects broader opposition to data centers over electricity costs, water use and local impacts, as Democrats nationwide campaign for tighter regulation.
Voters in Hubbard, Ohio, overwhelmingly approved a measure banning data centers, according to the Trumbull County Board of Elections. The initiative followed opposition to a potential data center near Deer Creek Golf Course known as Project Milo. Mayor Ben Kyle had disclosed that the city signed a nondisclosure agreement with an unidentified company while it evaluated the project’s technical and utility requirements.
The Hubbard vote was part of a broader national backlash against energy-intensive AI infrastructure during the midterm elections. Candidates and voters cited concerns about electricity prices, water supplies and community impacts, while data center advocates including OpenAI called for clear federal, state and local rules governing development. The article also reported that many victorious Democratic candidates support stronger restrictions, bans or moratoriums on data centers.