Lawmakers push for data center accountability
Ohio lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations on data center development, including community oversight, voter approval for projects, and environmental accountability. This comes as Ohio ranks fifth nationally for data center growth, with a major project planned for Pike County. Both state and federal bills have been introduced to address these concerns.
Ohio, currently the fifth fastest-growing state for data center development, is facing increasing calls for accountability and community oversight from state and national lawmakers. The discussion highlights a major data center project slated for Pike County, approximately 90 minutes from Cincinnati. Concerns are mounting that the rapid growth is occurring too quickly, leaving local communities without adequate input.
In response, Ohio Republican State Representatives Jennifer Gross and Michelle Teska recently introduced House Bill 983, known as the Data Center Accountability and Citizen Protection Act. This proposed legislation aims to empower Ohioans by requiring voter approval for any large-scale data center construction or expansion. Additionally, the bill seeks to ban future local tax incentives for data centers, mandate operators generate their own electricity, and enforce full public disclosure of chemicals used in cooling systems to protect water quality.
The legislative push extends to Capitol Hill, where Democratic Congressman Greg Landsman has introduced three separate federal bills targeting data center accountability. These bills include provisions to ensure data centers bear all costs, eliminate non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to promote transparency, and require public involvement in their development. Lawmakers emphasize the need for transparency and community choice regarding data center placement in their backyards.