Lawmakers form group to study data centers in Ohio

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(The Center Square)– Two Ohio lawmakers have formed a joint House-Senate committee to study the growing number of data centers in the state.

“Information empowers people to learn and make better decisions,” State Rep. Adam Holmes, R-Nashport, said at a recent news conference announcing the new committee. “It increases economic opportunities, promote transactional transparency, empowers civic participation and strengthens our representative governments.”

 State Sen. Brian Chavez, R-Marietta, joined Holmes in announcing the new committee.

“In today’s highly competitive international economy, data centers that can process information securely are crucial,” Holmes said. “Secure access to information allows us to maintain adequate public safety, and national defense postures, to enhance critical infrastructure protection and support our most advanced defense technologies. “We simply can’t afford to be reliant on other nations for our information resources.”

In Ohio, data centers have been met with opposition in some communities.

Earlier this year, opponents launched a petition drive for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban the construction of any new large data centers in the state.

Organizers hope to gather enough signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.

The amendment, entitled, “Prohibition of a Data Center,” would ban large data centers, those using more than 25 megawatts of electricity at peak load or in a given month. The petition drive has 600 volunteers and 100 county leaders helping with the effort, Andrew Gula, one of the organizers, told The Center Square.

Ohio currently has 205 data centers, according to Data Center Map, a company that provides research for the industry.

Opponents worry that the data centers will drain the state’s power and water supplies while supporters point to jobs and tax revenue for local communities.

“We recognize the concerns that have arisen in some citizens about the impact of data centers on our local communities,” Holmes said. “Sen. Chavez and I have spent this year touring data centers and energy generation sites across Ohio due to those concerns.”

The public concern over data centers has become a “priority issue for us,” Holmes said.

“It could have a dramatic effect on Ohio and America’s future,” he said.

The study committee is designed to help Ohio citizens develop more informed decisions on data center development, the legislator said.

“The mission of this committee is to ensure that Ohio citizens have accurate, relevant and usable information concerning the economic, environmental and security impact of Ohio’s data center development,” Holmes said.