Proposed legislation to require citizen referendum for data center projects
The Ohio State House introduced House Bill 983, which would require proposed data center projects or expansions to be approved by voters via referendum. The bill also mandates prior zoning board approval and includes penalties for public officials who authorize projects without voter consent. Local communities like Hubbard, Niles, and Weatherfield have already imposed moratoriums due to concerns about data center impacts.
The Ohio State House has introduced House Bill 983, which seeks to mandate citizen referendums for proposed data center projects and expansions across the state. The legislation, introduced on Tuesday, would empower residents within a five-mile radius of a project site to vote on its approval, requiring a simple majority for passage. It also stipulates that any rejected proposal would require a two-year waiting period before resubmission and that all projects would first need approval from a local zoning board. Public officials who bypass voter approval could face charges of misconduct or removal from office.
The bill has garnered support from local residents and officials in communities already grappling with data center proposals. Katie Costello, a Hubbard resident, expressed strong support, stating that "no one wants these data centers" and highlighting concerns over noise, utility strain, and environmental impact, particularly near the proposed Deer Creek data center in Hubbard. Hubbard City Council has already imposed a one-year moratorium on data centers and formed a commission to study the issue.
Similarly, Niles City Council President Doug Sollitto supports HB 983, emphasizing the importance of citizen decision-making in a democracy regarding such developments. Sollitto also advocated for additional protections, suggesting that data centers be smaller (25 megawatts or less), self-powered, and not connected to the local grid to prevent strain on the power system. This comes after a data center proposed by Singapore-based Bitdeer between Niles and Weatherfield led both communities to enact their own moratoriums. Sollitto also hopes for a restriction of one data center per county.
This bill reflects growing local concerns over the rapid expansion of data centers, addressing issues such as energy consumption, environmental impact, and local autonomy in development decisions.