Ohio is taking a proactive step in addressing the growing concerns surrounding data centers by forming a bipartisan committee. This new committee will invite input from data center workers, citizens, and major companies such as Google and Meta. Ohio state Rep. Adam Holmes, R-Nashport, and Ohio Senator Brian Chavez, R-Marietta, will cochair the committee, which includes several other state representatives and senators.
Local Impact and Concerns
Ohio is home to approximately 200 data centers, ranking fifth in the nation. Most of these centers are located in central Ohio, with significant numbers in Cincinnati and Cleveland. The committee’s mission is to provide Ohioans with accurate information about the economic, environmental, and security impacts of these data centers. Concerns have been raised about issues such as high water usage, negative effects on land and wildlife, and increased local energy costs.
Data centers are significant consumers of electricity, using as much as 4% of all U.S. electricity in 2023, with projections to rise to 9% by 2030. This has raised alarms about potential increases in electricity prices, as seen in Virginia, where prices have surged by up to 267%.
Committee’s Goals and Actions
The committee plans to hold its first meetings on May 27 and 28, with a commitment to meet weekly thereafter. The goal is to disseminate information to local officials and concerned citizens, enabling informed discussions. Companies like Meta and Google are expected to testify, eager to share how they are addressing public concerns.
In addition to the committee’s work, a group of Ohioans is gathering signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment to ban data centers with a peak load of more than 25 megawatts per month. This initiative requires over 413,000 signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 1.
Legislative Context
The Ohio House has unanimously passed House Bill 646, which proposes the creation of a data center study commission. However, the new committee is seen as a more expedient approach. Ohio Senate President Rob McColley supports the committee’s formation, believing it allows for a deeper exploration of issues compared to a broader commission. Meanwhile, Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio emphasizes the importance of addressing policy, safety, environmental, and local control issues related to data centers.
Ohio’s initiative reflects a broader trend, as lawmakers in at least 11 other states have introduced legislation to temporarily ban data centers, highlighting the national significance of this issue.
Original reporting: Dayton Daily News — read the source article.
