Data center, utility, and land-use coverage from tracked Ohio outlets.
The Ohio Power Siting Board scheduled a public hearing for October 22, 2024, regarding the PowerConneX New Albany 3 Energy Center, a gas combustion plant proposed to power an EdgeConneX data center in the New Albany International Business Park in Franklin County, Ohio. If approved, it would be the seventh gas plant powering data centers in the business park.
Meta announced details of its Prometheus data center campus in Ohio, with the first phase of the facility now operational. The article does not specify the county or the operational date of the first phase.
Ohio has the highest number of local ballot measures concerning data centers scheduled for 2026 among U.S. states.
A cost-benefit analysis by Scioto Analysis examined five policy scenarios for data center development in Ohio, finding that a ban on new data center construction would produce a benefit-cost ratio of 2.7 compared to 1.04 for the status quo, and that requiring data centers to generate 90% of their power from renewable energy would produce the highest benefit-cost ratio of 2.9. The analysis projected that if all planned projects come online by 2028, Ohio data centers' annual energy consumption would more than triple and their carbon emissions would more than triple.
This article examines national data center investment trends, reporting that $10 trillion in data center investment is projected across the US, with Ohio among the states with largest projected costs ($169 billion). The article discusses impacts including energy and water demand strains, tax revenue effects, and a shift in construction investment away from residential housing toward data centers, citing examples from Nevada, Virginia, Oregon, and other states adjusting policies or considering pauses on approvals.
A Columbus-based public policy research firm, Scioto Analysis, released an economic analysis finding that Ohio electricity customers could pay an extra $16 billion over the next eight years because of the state's data center industry expansion, while data centers have also brought billions of dollars in economic benefits to Ohio.
Data center opposition has emerged as a significant political issue in multiple states ahead of the 2024 election, with voters in at least three dozen municipalities considering ballot measures that could restrict or ban data center development. Ohio has become a focal point, with 21 ballot measures statewide and candidates from both parties revising their positions on data center tax incentives in response to constituent concerns about power grid strain, water use, emissions, and land conversion.
An article discussing Ohio's economic conditions and political landscape ahead of November elections notes that over 200 data centers operate in Ohio, consuming large amounts of energy and water daily while generating noise and air emissions from backup generators. The article states that Ohio voters are skeptical of rapid data center expansion that occurred with limited transparency or community input, and notes that proposed state legislation on ratepayer protections contained only optional measures without mandatory safeguards.
Ohio economists surveyed by Scioto Analysis were asked whether tax abatements effectively attract data centers and whether on-site power generation would lower electricity bills for residents. Twenty-three of 37 economists said abatements are effective at attracting data centers, though several questioned their desirability
A Marist University poll of Ohio registered voters found Democratic candidates leading Republican candidates in U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races. A National Republican Senatorial Committee memo cited public backlash against data centers as a significant factor affecting Republican candidate Jon Husted's electoral prospects in Ohio.
Grid Growth Ventures, backed by AEP and FirstEnergy, is seeking approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board to build a high-voltage transmission line running from Central Ohio substations to the Indiana border. The project, approved by regional grid operator PJM in February to address reliability needs and support growing power demand driven partly by data center expansion, faces opposition from multiple counties along its proposed route, with local officials and state representatives requesting alternative pathways or expressing concerns about agricultural impacts, property rights, and community effects.
An opinion article discusses concerns about proposed hyperscale data centers in Ohio, including the PORTS Technology Campus planned for Pike County on the site of the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, citing studies documenting potential health impacts from emissions, water usage, and utility cost increases associated with data center operations in Appalachian regions.
Dr. Amy Acton and Conserve Ohio encouraged the Ohio General Assembly to pass a data center moratorium when lawmakers returned to Columbus.
An Ohio Capital Journal article discusses rising electric utility bills in Ohio and examines gubernatorial candidates' proposed policies regarding data centers and electricity costs. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy proposes free electricity for residents near data centers and streamlined permitting, while Democratic candidate Amy Acton proposes requiring data centers to pay for infrastructure costs, imposing a conditional moratorium, and expanding assistance programs for low-income residents.
Ohio House members introduced a bill to prohibit property tax exemptions for data centers. The article discusses the effectiveness of such exemptions as economic development incentives, their fiscal impact on local government budgets, and potential effects on utility costs, environmental quality, and public health.
Ohio lawmakers across both parties have proposed data center restrictions while candidates for governor and U.S. Senate have called for industry limits, but the Republican-controlled state legislature has advanced Senate Bill 294 to redefine clean energy standards in ways that favor natural gas and coal plants over renewables. Meanwhile, residents in Ashville (Pickaway County) secured a referendum on a proposed EdgeConneX data center and natural gas plant project after the Ohio Supreme Court ordered the petition be submitted to the Board of Elections, and Jerome Township imposed a nine-month moratorium on new data centers following noise complaints from existing Amazon facilities.
Ohio has the highest number of local ballot measures concerning data centers scheduled for 2026 compared to other states.
At least 138 Ohio municipalities and townships have active moratoriums on data center construction as of September 17, 2024, with 23 communities having enacted permanent bans and at least 23 more considering similar measures. A Bowling Green State University poll found 78% of Ohioans support data center moratoriums pending more information about their effects, while state tax incentives for data centers remain on hiatus and politicians from both parties are pushing to make that permanent.
The article describes $2.3 billion in state sales tax exemptions provided to 18 tech companies building data centers in Ohio during former Governor John Kasich's administration from 2011 to 2019, noting these exemptions will continue for approximately 30 years. The article also discusses the Kasich administration's 2011 dismantling of the Clean Ohio environmental program to create JobsOhio.
A state audit of Ohio's Public Utilities Commission found that energy prices increased 34% since 2022 and identified the agency's lack of strategic planning for rising electricity demand and data center growth as a deficiency, with lawmakers noting the need for data center policy and adequate power generation capacity.
Prysmian and Rio Tinto announced they will supply low-carbon aluminum and electrical cabling to an Amazon data center in Ohio.
An Ohio Chamber of Commerce study found that central and southwestern Ohio corridors are well-positioned to support additional data center growth from a water-resource perspective through 2030, though farmers and agricultural interests raised concerns about long-term protection of water resources and inclusion in discussions about water planning beyond that timeframe.
Ohio gubernatorial candidates who have proposed data center regulations hold personal financial investments in data center-related companies and infrastructure. Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton holds stock in Iron Mountain, which operates a data center near Dayton, and Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy holds investments in multiple companies involved in data center supply chains including NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Eighteen Ohio communities have data center-related measures scheduled for voter consideration on the November ballot. The specific nature of these ballot measures and the communities involved are not detailed in the provided text excerpt.
Voters in 18 Ohio municipalities and townships will decide on ballot measures related to data centers on November 3, 2024, including nine petitions for bans on data centers exceeding 25 megawatts, full bans in some communities, and zoning measures in response to proposed data center projects.
An opinion piece discusses data center energy use and natural gas power generation, citing Meta's data center in New Albany, Ohio powered by 400MW of natural gas turbines, and advocating for renewable energy alternatives for data center power instead of fossil fuels.
A Columbus resident produced a podcast series examining data center siting, examining complaints about noise, power grid strain, and lack of local control, as well as industry benefits. The article discusses data center opposition across multiple states including Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Utah, Georgia, and New Jersey, tax breaks given to Google, Amazon, and Meta in Ohio, and effects on residents near data center facilities.
The Ohio Supreme Court rejected an attempt by Trenton City Council to increase the signature requirement for placing local ballot measures before voters. The case involved residents in Trenton, Butler County who collected signatures for a proposed charter amendment restricting data centers.
Article discusses potential benefits to Ohio communities from data center projects, including economic impacts such as jobs and tax revenue that communities may receive from data center development deals.
The article reports that Ohio utilities, particularly American Electric Power's Ohio Power Co., are basing grid investments on demand projections that anticipate electricity needs will nearly triple over the next decade largely due to planned data center projects. Critics including the Ohio Manufacturers' Association and the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel question the validity of these forecasts and express concern that customers will bear the costs of infrastructure investments if projected data center demand does not materialize.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) proposed federal legislation that would tax data center tax incentives at 100%, stating he does not want taxpayer dollars supporting data center construction. Ohio has previously provided $2.3 billion in incentives to data center projects, and Gov. Mike DeWine paused new incentives in May after costs were reported to be $1.4 billion higher than anticipated.
A report indicates that data center developers are increasingly directing projects toward secondary markets in Ohio rather than primary metropolitan areas.
Residents in Erie County's Oxford Township organized opposition to a proposed 250-megawatt hyperscale data center on a 146-acre campus. Following community meetings where residents raised concerns about electricity use, water usage, noise, and air pollution, township trustees tabled the proposed project, stating it was not in the community's best interest.
U.S. Senator Jon Husted's wife held as much as $15,000 in Intel stock while Husted, as lieutenant governor and later senator, worked to advance Intel's semiconductor manufacturing project in New Albany, Ohio, which received over $600 million in state incentives and more than $27 million from JobsOhio. Husted disclosed communications with Intel regarding potential business partnerships that preceded increases in Intel stock value.
The article discusses Ohio's regulatory framework for energy generation behind data center meters, noting that state policy creates different approval thresholds and requirements for solar, wind, and natural gas projects, with solar and wind projects subject to greater scrutiny and additional siting requirements than natural gas facilities.
The Ohio Supreme Court allowed a referendum petition against a data center project in Ashville, Ohio to proceed. The decision permits the referendum process to move forward.
The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ordered the city of Trenton in Butler County to place a proposed data center ban before voters. Five residents had submitted a petition to amend the city charter to ban construction of new data centers, and the Board of Elections verified they had collected 336 valid signatures, exceeding the required 128 signatures (10% of electors). The court's decision comes as two data centers are proposed for Trenton with a possible third planned.
Ohio Gratings, a Perry Township-based manufacturer of catwalks and flooring for data centers, announced expansion including 100 new jobs and a new 75,000 square foot facility in Lexington Township near Alliance, Ohio, attributed in part to demand from the data center industry.
Ohio regulators denied a permit for the 94-megawatt Crossroads Solar Grazing Center project in Morrow County, citing substantial local opposition, despite evidence that dozens of public comments opposing the project appeared fabricated. The article discusses broader concerns about fake public comments submitted to Ohio agencies on energy projects and proposals for stronger enforcement and screening measures.
Nvidia announced backing for a colossal data center being constructed in Pike County, Ohio at the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus, projected to be completed in 2032 with estimated total expenses near $500 billion. The facility is reported to require more power than all homes in Ohio.
5C Group, a Canada-based AI infrastructure company, is retrofitting a former LexisNexis data center at Prime Ohio Corporate Park in Springfield, expanding it from 67,000 square feet to 214,000 square feet as part of a $1.3 billion project. The project has generated both economic development interest and concerns about energy use and diesel generators.
Meta, Amazon, Google, QTS, Softbank, and AEP announced combined donations totaling $18.5 million to Ohio's Neighbor to Neighbor utility assistance program. The donations coincide with growing public opposition to data center development in Ohio, where recent polling shows 75% of respondents oppose data centers in their area, and candidates for governor have released plans to restrict data center development.
Athens County in Southeast Ohio is the latest community in the region to receive data center proposals. According to researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, data centers can have positive economic impact in metropolitan areas, but rural counties see negligible gains.
OpenAI announced it will lease space for an 8-gigawatt hyperscale data center at the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Pike County, Ohio, approximately 100 miles east of Cincinnati. According to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, this electrical capacity would make it the largest AI data center in the world.
Canton, Ohio is preparing for two data centers planned for the eastern end of the city. Canton City Public Health will oversee air pollution control permits for each facility that specify allowable emissions, and the health department maintains three air monitors to measure particulate matter and ground-level ozone, with ongoing health studies tracking asthma cases and emergency room visits.
OpenAI announced it will lease space for an 8-gigawatt hyperscale data center at the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Pike County, Ohio, approximately 100 miles east of Cincinnati. The facility is planned to be the world's largest AI data center by power capacity.
A leaked memo from the National Republican Senatorial Committee indicates that data centers have become a significant issue in Ohio's 2026 U.S. Senate race between Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted, with Brown's campaign ads criticizing Husted's role in bringing approximately 200 data centers to Ohio and their associated tax breaks and utility rate impacts. The memo characterizes data centers as a "sleeper issue" and warns that Ohio's election could influence data center policy decisions by elected officials nationwide.
A Democratic candidate for Ohio attorney general amended a complaint to the state inspector general alleging conflicts of interest involving the chairman of JobsOhio, a state economic development agency, who also lobbies for Intel, a company that received over $600 million in state incentives and at least $27 million from JobsOhio for a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Licking County that has been delayed by at least five years.
Meta, QTS, Amazon, SoftBank Energy, and Google committed a combined $18 million to AEP Ohio's bill assistance program for customers. The program provides utility bill assistance funded in part by data center operators in Ohio.
Athens County in Southeast Ohio is the latest community in the region to receive data center proposals. Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that data centers can have positive economic impact in metropolitan areas but see "negligible gains" in rural counties.
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the village of Ashville's emergency resolution approving an EdgeConneX data center project did not provide sufficient justification for bypassing the standard 30-day grace period, allowing a referendum petition against the project to proceed to the Pickaway County Board of Elections for validation.
Nvidia announced a $105 billion financial guarantee to support OpenAI's data center construction project in Ohio, with the guarantee tied to long-term infrastructure and hardware value.
Ohio state Rep. Tristan Rader requested that the Public Utility Commission of Ohio hold hearings in Dayton's service territory before deciding on a $10.7 billion acquisition of AES Ohio by a consortium including BlackRock, a Qatari sovereign wealth fund, a California pension program, and Swedish private equity firm EQT. Rader expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest given BlackRock's investments in data centers and artificial intelligence, and AES's view of data centers as a growth opportunity in its service territory.
5C Group, a Canada-based AI infrastructure company, is constructing a $1.3 billion data center at Prime Ohio Corporate Park in Springfield by retrofitting a former LexisNexis facility, expanding it from 67,000 to 214,000 square feet, with the first phase expected to complete within the next few months. The project has generated economic development interest and also raised concerns about energy use and diesel generators.
Panattoni Development is holding an open house on Tuesday at the Canton Civic Center to discuss a planned data center on vacant industrial property off 8th Street NE in Canton, Ohio. The company stated the property is environmentally clean and it is coordinating with AEP on electricity availability, with potential construction to begin within six to ten months.
An open house was scheduled for Project Shelby, a proposed data center in Canton, Ohio, to be developed by Panattoni Development on industrial land off 8th Street NE between Marietta and Trump Avenues.
Amazon announced plans for an 18-building data center campus totaling 3.96 million square feet in the Trenton area outside Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ohio's two gubernatorial candidates announced differing data center policies in July and August 2024. Democratic candidate Amy Acton announced support for a conditional moratorium on data centers if requirements on costs, labor, transparency, environmental standards, community benefit agreements, and development are not met. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy announced a three-part plan requiring that residents receive free home electricity, pay lower property taxes, and that data centers meet all air and water quality standards, with the data center not being built if any condition is unmet.
Piqua, Ohio took action to establish power infrastructure for a planned data center project in the community.
A federal dispute concerning data center costs has potential implications for electric bills in Ohio. The article indicates an ongoing federal matter related to data center operational expenses and their effect on state utility rates.
Ohio regulators directed data center firms to provide utility AEP Ohio with 180 days advance notice prior to grid connection, adding to the existing large load rate class structure in the state.
PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. grid operator serving 13 states including Ohio, submitted proposals to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requiring data centers and other large loads of 50 megawatts or more to secure their own power supplies or face curtailment during grid emergencies beginning in June 2027, shifting responsibility to states and utilities to implement the approach.
The article examines the contrasting positions of candidates in Ohio's 9th U.S. Congressional District race regarding data center development. Republican Derek Merrin voted for Ohio's data center tax breaks in 2017, while Democrat Marcy Kaptur has spoken against data centers for their power and water consumption
Three candidates for Ohio governor—Democrat Amy Acton, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, and Libertarian Don Kissick—each announced proposals for conditional moratoriums on new data center construction in Ohio, with varying requirements including environmental protections, community benefit agreements, brownfield prioritization, and restrictions on tax incentives. Governor Mike DeWine expressed support for the basic principles while indicating interest in specific proposals such as free electricity for local communities.
Ohio's U.S. Senate candidates Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown have offered contrasting positions on data center development in the state. Husted, as lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2025, supported multiple data center projects and tens of millions in tax breaks, while Brown has criticized these tax breaks and called for data centers to pay full electricity costs and for local communities to have decision-making authority on new projects.
The chairman of JobsOhio's board, Josh Rubin, is a registered lobbyist representing Intel while serving in a decision-making role at the state economic development agency that has distributed over $150 million in grants and incentives to Intel's chip manufacturing project near New Albany, Ohio. Rubin committed to avoiding conflicts of interest when appointed to the JobsOhio board in September 2023, but continued lobbying on Intel's behalf and his firm maintained registrations to lobby JobsOhio through 2025, raising questions about potential conflicts in his dual roles.
Ohio House Bill 983 was introduced by state legislators to regulate data center development statewide. The bill would require voter approval for data center construction or expansion projects over one megawatt peak electric load within five miles of any municipality or township, impose new air emission and water discharge standards, hold data center owners financially responsible for water supply and pressure impacts, and ban local governments from offering property tax incentives for data centers.
Ohio gubernatorial candidates have stated differing positions on data center regulation. Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy proposes regulated expansion requiring efficient water and energy use with companies providing their own power
Libertarian gubernatorial nominee Don Kissick called for an immediate moratorium on all Ohio data center projects that have not yet begun construction, pending establishment of statewide standards for data center facilities.
A federal dispute concerning data center costs may result in increased electric bills for Ohio residents. The article does not specify which data center or provide additional details about the nature of the federal dispute.
The Ohio EPA proposed a statewide general permit that would have streamlined wastewater discharge authorization for data centers into Ohio waterways with reduced state review. After receiving over 7,000 public comments in opposition, the Ohio EPA announced it would not finalize the general permit.
Akron City Council unanimously approved a new process for data center proposals requiring approval by both the city's planning commission and city council, with requirements tied to utility demand.
The Ohio Supreme Court is considering whether data center development and associated public investment qualify as an emergency under Ohio law for purposes of bypassing certain public participation procedures, which could determine whether elected officials or residents have final decision-making authority on data center projects in Ohio communities.
Developer Eolian announced groundbreaking on its Flint Grid battery project near New Albany, Ohio, designed to provide 200 megawatts of power for up to five hours to serve the region's data center cluster. The first phase is scheduled to be operational by June 2027, with a planned second phase by 2029.
Substrate AI established a real estate investment trust (REIT) to hold its real estate assets, including a planned data center in Toledo, Ohio, as part of its strategy to accelerate investments in AI infrastructure.