Stacie Baker Calls for Statewide Moratorium on New Large-Scale Data Centers
Ohio is seeing rapid growth in large-scale data center development, and we must ensure that growth does not come at the expense of the people and communities who call Ohio home.
I am calling on state leaders to put an immediate, temporary statewide hold on approvals for new large-scale data centers. We need a pause until Ohio puts real, enforceable protections in place for our ratepayers, workers, water, farmland, and neighborhoods.
But let me be clear: a pause without a plan doesn’t fix anything.
We need to use that time to bring organized labor, local communities, utilities, and city governments together to set clear standards for responsible growth.
If billions of dollars are being poured into Ohio, our own workers and communities should be the ones benefiting. These data centers, and the infrastructure around them must be built, operated, and maintained right here in the U.S. using union labor and high labor standards.
Developers also need to pay their fair share. They should cover the massive energy, water, and grid costs their facilities create, rather than dumping those expenses onto the bills of working families, small businesses, and local farmers.
We also need strict requirements for energy and water use. If a company gets a tax break or public incentive, they must give us real transparency and accountability. That means strict labor standards, clear community benefits, and clawbacks if they break their promises.
Most importantly, our communities deserve a real seat at the table before these projects get the green light, not after. Full stop.
I completely believe in innovation and economic growth. But that growth has to actually work for the people who already live and work here.
If elected to represent Ohio Senate District 3, I will fight for development that actually protects our workers, resources, and families. Until those safeguards are locked in, we need to hit the pause button on these massive data centers.
Ohio should never be forced to choose between progress and protecting its people. We can, and should, demand both.
Best,
Stacie Baker
Candidate for Ohio Senate District 3
