Ohio Advocate Pushes for Data Center Regulations on November Ballot
'We're on a mission' | Local advocate trying to get data center regulations on Ohio ballot this November
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Jo Wilson, a local advocate in Bethel, Ohio, is spearheading the Conserve Ohio campaign to place a constitutional amendment restricting data centers on the November ballot. The proposed amendment aims to ban data centers that consume over 25 megawatts of energy monthly, contingent upon gathering over 413,000 signatures by July 1.
- 01The Conserve Ohio campaign seeks to gather over 413,000 confirmed signatures to place a data center regulation amendment on the ballot.
- 02The proposed amendment would prohibit the construction of data centers that use more than 25 megawatts of energy per month.
- 03As of now, the campaign has collected approximately 50,000 signatures since its launch in April.
- 04Local residents have expressed concerns about the environmental impact, particularly regarding water and energy consumption.
- 05Representatives from major tech companies testified before Ohio lawmakers about the operational efficiency and environmental strategies of their data centers.
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Jo Wilson, an advocate from Bethel, Ohio, is leading the grassroots campaign Conserve Ohio, aiming to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would limit the construction of large data centers. The proposed amendment seeks to ban data centers consuming over 25 megawatts of energy monthly, contingent upon collecting over 413,000 confirmed signatures by July 1. Currently, the campaign has gathered around 50,000 signatures since its inception in April. Concerns raised by residents include the significant water and energy usage associated with these facilities. Recently, executives from major tech companies, including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, testified before Ohio lawmakers about their data center operations and their efforts to minimize environmental impacts. Wilson emphasized the urgency of the campaign, stating, “We’re on a mission,” and expressed determination to secure the necessary signatures to ensure the amendment is put to a vote.
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The proposed amendment could significantly affect the construction of large data centers in Ohio, impacting local water and energy resources.
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