Concern grows as data centers emerge in Ohio | Student project

Residents of Columbus, Ohio, especially in the South Side neighborhood, are expressing significant alarm over the increasing number of data centers, according to Robert Campbell, a board member with the Scioto Southland Civic Association. Campbell highlights the constant, loud hum emanating from these facilities, linking it to potential health issues like increased blood pressure and anxiety for nearby residents. He also questions the city's prioritization of data centers over essential community needs such as schools and grocery stores, noting that data centers create relatively few jobs while consuming vast tracts of land. The concerns extend to the economic and environmental impact across central Ohio. With over 200 data centers statewide and 113 in central Ohio, residents have already experienced higher electricity costs, a trend the Ohio Consumers' Counsel attributes to the data centers' substantial energy demands. The Consumers' Counsel predicts that data centers, which used 4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, will consume 9% by 2030, an amount roughly equivalent to Ohio's total electricity usage in 2023. Water consumption is another major issue, with data centers requiring millions of gallons for cooling. Campbell specifically criticized a recent Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) proposal that would permit data centers to discharge used water into local waterways, arguing it compromises environmental standards. A 15-county Central Ohio Regional Water Study by the Ohio EPA further projects a 120% increase in industrial water demand by 2050, exacerbating concerns about water resources amid rising agricultural needs due to climate change.