Local Governments Combat Data Center Expansion in Ohio and Washington

Local governments in Washington and Ohio are intensifying efforts to regulate data center developments amid growing community concerns over environmental impacts. In Eatonville, Washington, the Eatonville Town Council is considering a transparency measure led by Councilwoman Wanda Randolph to force developer HostDime to disclose the 100,000-square-foot facility's effects on noise, electricity, and water supplies. This move aligns with Florida Senate Bill 484, which grants local governments more authority to reject such projects and protects residential customers from grid upgrade costs.

Simultaneously, residents in Shalersville, Ohio, held a town hall to protest a proposed project by Singapore-based Bitdeer. Community members cited risks to beekeepers and potential water leaks. Bitdeer responded by proposing a closed-loop cooling system and third-party noise monitoring to keep levels below 50 decibels. While Shalersville Township currently maintains a moratorium on data centers until November, Trustee Ron Kotkowski warned that legal constraints might prevent a permanent ban.

Legislative responses are also emerging at the state level. Ohio State Representative Heidi Workman reported that House Bill 646, which would create a Data Center Study Commission, has passed the State House and is now pending in the Ohio Senate.