Gov't halts data center development

VERMILION TWP. — Those representing a local government recently approved a one-year ban on any potential data center-related construction, development or progress. This means, through February 2027, no such activity to make way for one can occur within the political subdivision of Vermilion Township. Creating a temporary prohibition, also known as a moratorium, does give township officials enough time to study how large data processing facilities could affect the community at large before any such proposals move forward. They can also review local zoning codes and decide whether additional regulations should be considered before any applications are submitted. The ban could be lifted if trustees agree to do so through another vote during a public meeting. What concerned trustees In a unanimous 3-0 vote, trustees Ken Baughman, Don Rowe and Keith Sexton agreed to this ban. Rowe expressed concerns about how data centers are growing in many areas, including one under construction in Perkins Township. He cited how much electricity they require and also raised issues with their potential impact on local infrastructure. Vermilioni Township isn't the first local political subdivision to institute a ban: Monroeville also executed similar legislation within the past month. "There's been a lot of pushback on data centers," Rowe said. "You look at the electricity that is required to run these facilities. There are also concerns about noise, water consumption and what that means for the surrounding community." Baughman said Vermilion Township's existing zoning already limits where a data center could be built. He said facilities of that type would likely need access to utilities, such as water and sewer service, which narrows the number of possible locations. "There's not a lot of land left for this," Baughman said. "This is probably not something we need to go into crisis mode over."