Voter issue on banning data centers in Ohio falls short of signatures for this fall
Conserve Ohio's proposed constitutional amendment to ban large-scale data centers in Ohio failed to gather enough signatures for the upcoming ballot but plans to re-attempt for 2027. The group seeks to prohibit data centers consuming over 25 MW, citing power concerns. Meanwhile, nearly 20 Ohio communities have enacted local moratoriums, and the Ohio General Assembly is considering further regulations.
Conserve Ohio's initiative to propose a constitutional amendment in Ohio, aimed at banning data centers exceeding 25 megawatts of energy consumption, has fallen short of the required 413,000 signatures to qualify for the upcoming November general election ballot. The organization, which had set a July 1 deadline as an ideal target, only collected 76,626 signatures, approximately 18% of its goal. Despite this setback, Conserve Ohio remains committed to its objective, announcing plans to pursue placement on the 2027 general election ballot and continue its petition drive.
The group's spokespeople emphasized their resolve, stating, "We will not be stopping. Construction won't be stopping, so signature gathering and community action will not be stopping." The proposed amendment targets "industrial-scale" data centers, which Conserve Ohio claims can consume as much power as a small town. Data from the petition drive showed varying success in counties like Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana, with Trumbull leading in signatures collected in the Mahoning Valley.
The article also highlights broader legislative and local government actions concerning data centers in Ohio. Nearly 20 communities across the state have already implemented moratoriums on the approval and construction of data centers. Concurrently, the Ohio General Assembly is actively considering legislation to impose stricter regulations on data center operations and to revise existing tax incentives for the industry.