Grassroots group aims to ban data centers in Ohio

Ohio's growing data center industry, particularly in central Ohio, is facing a challenge from a grassroots organization named Ohio Residents for Responsible Development. This group aims to implement a statewide ban on large-scale data centers that consume more than 25 megawatts of power monthly, citing significant environmental concerns regarding energy resource strain and water consumption. They believe these facilities have a "huge potential for enormous negative impact on the environmental level." The group's petition for a constitutional amendment has been certified by Attorney General Dave Yost and is now set to go before the Ohio Ballot Board. If approved by the board, the organization must gather over 400,000 valid voter signatures from 44 of Ohio's 88 counties to get the amendment on the ballot. In response, the Data Center Coalition, represented by Vice President of State Policy Dan Diorio, has pushed back against the proposed ban. Diorio stated that "a statewide moratorium on data centers would discourage further investment, undermine Ohio's economic momentum, and signal that Ohio is closed for business," emphasizing the economic growth and job creation data centers bring to the state.