Inside Ohio’s Revolt Against Data Centers

In June, a four-hour legislative committee hearing in Ohio highlighted the growing opposition to data centers. The event showcased a diverse coalition of residents, both urban and rural, as well as Democrats and Republicans, who are alarmed by the proliferation of these massive computing facilities. These individuals are advocating for local governments to impose bans and moratoria on data centers, as well as collecting signatures for a statewide ballot measure that could potentially be placed before voters in 2027.

Nikki Gerber, an outdoor-tourism guide from rural Southern Ohio, spearheads the push against data centers. She passionately urges lawmakers to ensure that future generations have a rich and vibrant environment, stating, "Especially on America’s 250th anniversary it’s your job to make sure there’s life for another 250." Data centers that rely on fossil fuels contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, but many opponents are more concerned about the impact on their local landscapes, air, and water quality.

This resistance is spreading across the country, particularly against the large-scale complexes being constructed to support artificial intelligence applications.

The issue is gaining attention in the upcoming November midterm elections, with approximately 40 local ballot measures in seven states, according to Ballotpedia. Ohio leads with 21 measures, including 10 communities scheduled to vote next month. The campaign in Ohio is particularly noteworthy as Columbus has emerged as a hotspot for data center development.

For Gerber, the focus remains on the 1.3-gigawatt Amazon Web Services data center, which is planned to be built about 15 miles from her campground located in Adams County. She is deeply worried about the potential effects on water levels and biodiversity in the area.

Her business, Moondoggie Liveree, is situated within the woods near Ohio Brush Creek, a location that flows into the Ohio River in Adams County. Gerber's office, which is an open-air shed, is decorated with personal knickknacks, bumper stickers, and signs. One of the messages reads, "Watch! 4 Turtles! Caution!" She emphasizes that Ohio is often perceived as flat, but in reality, it is a truly unique and special area.

Gerber is a local leader in promoting Adams County, one of Ohio's poorest counties based on median household income, as a destination for outdoor tourism. She believes that the proposed data center could trigger a wave of similar projects, transforming the rustic landscape into an industrial zone. During her offseason, she builds rental cabins around the region.

When Gerber discovered the proposed Amazon data center early this year, she became frustrated by the perceived lack of transparency from local government officials.

In neighboring Brown County, attorney Austin Baurichter left his job at a law firm in Cincinnati due to his opposition to data center developers. He established his own practice and joined forces with Gerber and other concerned individuals seeking answers about the projects. Despite their differences, Gerber and Baurichter share a strong commitment to the cause.

Baurichter, a young lawyer, is impressed by Gerber's energy and optimism. Together, they form part of the core group behind Conserve Ohio, the organization leading the statewide campaign for a data center moratorium.

In September, Ohio's General Assembly considered a temporary pause in the state's gasoline tax. Data center opponents, alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, a former director of the state health department, urged lawmakers to pass a measure halting data center development. However, the majority of Republicans declined to take up the issue.

Activist D.J. Byrnes, who covers Ohio politics, documented Baurichter speaking with state Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, a Democrat from the Cleveland area. Baurichter criticized her for not doing enough to address the concerns of data center opponents.