POLITICS

Local Governments and Communities Scrutinize Data Center Growth

PUBLISHED May 11, 2026, 6:39 AM ET

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Columbus, Ohio — Petitioners are collecting signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit construction of data centers with peak loads above 25 megawatts, seeking more than 413,000 valid signatures from at least 44 counties by July 1 after receiving authorization from the Ohio Ballot Board about a month earlier and relying on volunteers to gather signatures. Charlotte, North Carolina held a staff presentation on May 11 and scheduled a public hearing for May 26 ahead of a possible June 8 vote on a data center moratorium after a proposed Hood Road project drew attention; in California and Tennessee, regulators and planning commissions are assessing filings, resource estimates and zoning recommendations as communities weigh water and power impacts.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

May 11: Charlotte city staff presented findings to council members about data centers.
May 26: Charlotte City Council scheduled a public hearing to gather community feedback.
June 8: Charlotte may vote on a proposed data center moratorium ordinance.
July 1: Ohio petitioners must submit 413,000 signatures from 44 counties for ballot placement.
R&L Capital filed a small power plant exemption application with the California Energy Commission regarding the Inyokern proposal.

News Intelligence

Data centers can affect your community. They use a lot of power and water, which can strain local resources. If you're in Ohio, you might have a say in their future. Keep an eye out for the petition circulating in your county.

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Who Benefited

Data center developers and investors stand to gain from construction contracts, ongoing facility revenue, and potential local tax or fee revenue; some municipalities may receive economic development benefits if facilities proceed.

Who Impacted

Local residents, municipal utilities, and groundwater-dependent communities may suffer strained water supplies, higher infrastructure demand, and local environmental stress if large data centers are built without mitigation.

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