Piqua Commission hears ordinance regarding electrical services for data center
The Piqua Commission heard a second reading of an ordinance to approve a 40-year franchise agreement with AES Ohio for electric service to the J5 LLC data center. Residents voiced concerns over potential electric rate hikes and the terms of the agreement. The data center will be located on 607.656 acres at Farrington and Washington Road.
The Piqua Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, July 21, to conduct a second reading of Ordinance 0-7-26, which proposes a 40-year franchise agreement with Dayton Power & Light Company (DP&L), doing business as AES Ohio.
This ordinance would permit AES Ohio to construct and operate electric utility facilities to provide service to J5 LLC, a data center planned for a 607.656-acre site at Farrington and Washington Road in Piqua, Ohio. The data center is expected to connect directly to the interstate transmission grid, with AES Ohio providing distribution services. A staff report indicates the ordinance serves a valid municipal purpose and protects Piqua residents from direct electric cost pass-throughs from the data center.
However, residents expressed significant opposition to the agreement. Piqua resident Richard Price questioned why the city would approve such terms, citing ongoing rate hike applications by AES and suggesting the deal was a "disservice to the people of Piqua." Troy resident and Ohio House District 80 candidate Katie Koehler Wagner echoed these concerns, stating that AES is "taking advantage of Piqua" through anticipated rate increases.