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Voters Approve New Data Center Restrictions
Communities in Ohio and Kansas approved measures to limit data center development amid concerns about energy and water use.
Voters in several U.S. communities approved restrictions on data center development in the Nov. 3 elections, reflecting growing local scrutiny of the energy, water and infrastructure demands associated with artificial intelligence and large-scale computing facilities.
Ballot measures in Ohio and Kansas passed by substantial margins, with residents supporting restrictions on new construction and, in some cases, related energy storage infrastructure.
In Pataskala, Ohio, approximately 74% of voters approved a city charter amendment prohibiting the construction of data centers with an aggregate monthly electrical demand or peak load exceeding 25 megawatts. The measure passed with 5,418 votes in favor and 1,941 opposed, according to preliminary election results.
The vote follows local opposition to a proposed 200-megawatt data center development. Pataskala City Council rejected the project in August, and the developer subsequently sought judicial review of the decision.
Nearby Granville, Ohio, also approved a charter amendment restricting data center construction. Approximately 82% of voters supported the measure, with 2,015 voting in favor and 429 opposed.
Unlike Pataskala, Granville had no active data center proposal, according to local reporting. The measure was intended to prevent future development within the village.
In El Dorado, Kansas, voters approved a 10-year prohibition on high-impact data centers and certain battery energy storage systems. Preliminary results showed approximately 71% supporting the measure.
The ordinance defines high-impact data centers as facilities with peak electrical demand exceeding 10 megawatts or daily water consumption exceeding 100,000 gallons. It also prohibits specified battery energy storage systems with an aggregate capacity greater than 80 kilowatt-hours.
Under the measure, voters cannot repeal or amend the restrictions during the 10-year period without approval.
The Kansas measure originated from a citizen petition and was placed on the ballot after the El Dorado City Commission acted in August.
The results come as communities across the country examine how expanding data center infrastructure could affect electricity supplies, water resources and local land use. Large facilities can require substantial power for computing equipment and cooling systems, while some cooling technologies also consume significant quantities of water.
Local governments are increasingly considering zoning changes, development restrictions and other measures to address those concerns.
The November election results illustrate how environmental and infrastructure considerations are becoming factors in local decisions about future data center development.
Election results remain unofficial pending certification.
