How data centers could affect Northeast Ohio’s power grid, water use and air quality

Cleveland and the broader Northeast Ohio region are grappling with the expanding data center industry, prompting significant community and governmental responses. Recently, the Cleveland City Council approved a short-term moratorium on data center development, just after a permit for a hyperscale data center in the city's Slavic Village neighborhood was denied.

Residents have voiced concerns regarding potential increases in electricity prices, added strain on the already stressed power grid, noise pollution, and substantial water usage. Michael Craig, an associate professor at the University of Michigan specializing in environmental systems, highlighted that data centers contribute to environmental degradation by consuming large amounts of electricity, often sourced from fossil fuel power plants, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants. He also noted the reliance on diesel backup generators, which release harmful pollutants linked to cancer and respiratory diseases. Hyperscale data centers, like the one proposed in Slavic Village, can consume millions of gallons of water daily, yet there are currently no laws requiring them to report their municipal water usage, making it difficult to assess their true environmental impact.

While Cleveland does not yet host hyperscale data centers, it has numerous smaller facilities that also contribute to energy and water demands. Craig emphasized the need for more safeguards through regulations from state and local governments, as well as regional transmission organizations such as PJM Interconnection. He stressed that the State of Ohio has a powerful voice with PJM and that local representatives are crucial for bringing community concerns to the forefront.