Ohioans push to put data center limits on the ballot

Conserve Ohio is spearheading a petition drive to bring a constitutional amendment to the Ohio ballot, seeking to regulate and limit the size of data centers across the state. Lead organizer Lyn Cox stated that the movement represents "small mid-west Ohio pushing back" against large tech companies and even parts of the state government. The proposed amendment would cap data center power usage at 25 megawatts, which organizers estimate is enough to power approximately 25,000 homes. Advocates like Cyndi Lane, a signature collector, report strong public support, noting that the issue has united people across the political spectrum due to shared concerns about data centers' significant demands on power, water, and local infrastructure. The group aims to collect 413,000 valid signatures statewide to qualify for the ballot, with an ambitious target of 700,000. Organizers are actively gathering signatures at locations such as the Perrysburg Farmer's Market and in the Point Place and Shoreland areas, asserting that regardless of whether it makes the ballot this year or next, the amendment will eventually be put to a vote. Ohio currently ranks fifth nationally with over 200 data centers, many concentrated in central Ohio.