Ohio Activists Aim for Data Center Ban Ballot Initiative by July 1
Advocates in Ohio aim to gather over 413,000 signatures to place a data center ban on the November ballot. The proposed amendment would restrict data centers exceeding 25 megawatts monthly, responding to local concerns over energy and water usage.

Activists in Ohio are working to collect 413,000 signatures by July 1 to qualify a proposed amendment banning data centers with a peak load over 25 megawatts for the November ballot. The initiative requires signatures from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties and was authorized by the Ohio Ballot Board about a month ago.
Data centers currently account for 4% of U.S. electricity usage, projected to rise to 9% by 2030. Additionally, a large data center can consume up to five million gallons of water daily. The Ohio House has passed a bill to establish a new data center study commission, which is now in the Senate. Risks include rising local energy costs and environmental concerns, as seen in Virginia where electricity prices surged significantly.




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