Petitioners get approval to gather signatures for data center ban in Ohio

Ohio Residents for Responsible Development has been approved to begin collecting signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment that would effectively ban most new large data centers in the state. The Ohio Ballot Board unanimously certified the proposal, which seeks to prohibit data centers with a peak load exceeding 25 megawatts per month, a threshold that would impact the majority of modern facilities. This certification allows the group to proceed with their effort to get the measure on the November ballot. The initiative stems from concerns voiced by residents like Nikki Gerber from Adams County, who emphasized the need to "conserve Ohio and not let data centers take away all the natural resources." Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost previously certified the petition's title and summary, though he clarified this should not be interpreted as an affirmation of its constitutionality. The grassroots organization, primarily comprising southwest Ohio residents, formed organically due to shared concerns. Proponents, including committee member Andrew Gula, highlight the potential impact on residents across the state, citing concerns over rising electric rates and the loss of farmland. Data from the Office of Ohio Consumers’ Counsel indicates that large data centers consume as much electricity as 100,000 homes, with data center electricity usage projected to significantly increase nationally by 2030. Ohio currently ranks fifth nationwide in the number of data centers, with many located in central Ohio, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. To secure a spot on the November ballot, Ohio Residents for Responsible Development must collect over 413,000 signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 1. Despite the tight deadline, committee members like Austin Baurichter express confidence in their volunteer-driven efforts, which include organizing county leaders and targeting local festivals for signature collection. The Ohio House recently passed legislation to create a data center study commission, while similar legislative efforts to temporarily ban data centers are underway in at least eleven other states.