Ohio residents express concerns over data center expansion impact
Data center expansion in Ohio is a growing political issue, with residents raising concerns about rising electricity bills, tax incentives for tech giants, and a lack of transparency in development deals. Representative Greg Landsman is advocating for legislation to ban non-disclosure agreements with elected officials and shift the energy cost burden to data centers. There is ongoing opposition to a data center project in Wilmington, Ohio.
The rapid expansion of data centers, particularly those supporting AI, has become a significant political issue in Ohio, according to Representative Greg Landsman. Speaking on Bloomberg This Weekend, Landsman highlighted widespread frustration among his constituents regarding economic inequities, where large tech companies like Amazon receive substantial tax cuts from federal and state governments while local residents face increased utility bills.
A key concern is the secrecy surrounding data center development deals, with elected officials reportedly signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent them from discussing projects with their communities. Landsman specifically cited a proposed data center in Wilmington, Ohio, within his gerrymandered district, where constituents are actively trying to halt or slow down the project to ensure their priorities are included. He condemned the practice of NDAs, calling it a betrayal of public trust, particularly given Ohio's strong sunshine laws.
In response, Landsman has introduced legislation aimed at addressing these issues. His bill, which has passed out of committee, seeks to ban NDAs between elected officials and companies, and to shift the cost burden for energy consumption onto data centers rather than the general tax base. He argues that the current system allows wealthy corporations to operate behind closed doors and externalize costs onto the public, exacerbating economic disparities and eroding trust in government.