Ohio Communities Push Back Against Proposed Data Center Development
Residents in Pataskala and surrounding Licking County are opposing the expansion of hyperscale data centers near homes and rural properties. The Pataskala City Council rejected Align Data Centers' proposed 200-megawatt facility, while the company is appealing and voters will consider a citywide data center ban in November.
The video examines data center development in Licking County, Ohio, where residents say hyperscale facilities are transforming rural and residential areas. Pataskala residents opposed Align Data Centers' proposed 200-megawatt project, citing noise, construction disruption, property impacts and concerns about locating a large facility near homes. The Pataskala City Council rejected the proposal, and Align has filed court documents to appeal the decision.
Residents also describe extensive construction, tree clearing and the purchase or demolition of nearby homes associated with data center development in the Pataskala and New Albany areas. The video says data centers operated by companies including Meta, Google and Amazon are clustered nearby, while local residents and some construction workers support stronger regulation. Pataskala voters are expected to decide in November whether to impose a broad ban on data centers within the city.