Data center ban petition submitted to Columbus
Conserve Ohio submitted a petition seeking a Columbus charter amendment to ban data centers using more than 25 megawatts. The proposed measure would preserve smaller facilities while preventing hyperscale data centers, including those used by artificial intelligence companies, from being built in the city.
Conserve Ohio has petitioned the City of Columbus to place a proposed charter amendment on the ballot that would prohibit data centers using more than 25 megawatts of power. The measure would leave smaller facilities, generally using up to about 5 megawatts, unaffected while targeting hyperscale facilities associated with artificial intelligence development.
The petition must first be certified by the city attorney clerk and Columbus City Council before the group can begin collecting signatures. Attorney Nic Owens said Conserve Ohio is also pursuing a statewide ban and has gathered more than 150,000 signatures, arguing that communities need greater control over data center development until state or federal regulations are enacted.