COLUMBUS — As data centers proliferate across Ohio, residents in central Ohio are fighting back with ballot issues in the November election.
In Ashville, voters face a referendum on whether to affirm or reverse village council’s terms guiding negotiations with EdgeConneX over two data center buildings and a natural gas plant to power them. The measure is pending validation by the Pickaway County Board of Elections.
Charter amendments banning data centers larger than 25 megawatts are on the ballot in Pataskala and Sunbury, while Granville voters will decide a similar charter amendment on Jan. 5. Urbana’s amendment would ban data centers that use more than 7.5 megawatts of power.
Grove City adopted a 12-month moratorium on data centers June 1 while their impact is studied. Voters there will also consider a charter amendment restricting any business that occupies more than 50 contiguous acres, uses more than 20 megawatts of power or 500,000 gallons of water a day.
