COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — The formation of a commission to study the potential impact of data centers in Ohio has passed its first hurdle.
The Ohio House unanimously passed a bill last week that would create a data center study commission.
If the bill is made into law, the members of the commission would be appointed by the governor, the speaker of the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate president. They would help lawmakers develop policy on building data centers in the state.
The membership would include individuals representing a variety of areas, including local government, utilities, agriculture, and the data center industry.
Democrats are urging that labor unions representing workers - who are building the centers and their infrastructure - be added to the commission so their voices can also be heard.
After passing the House, the bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration and any potential changes.
If the measure reaches the governor’s desk and is signed into law, the commission will have six months to draft policy recommendations on data centers for lawmakers.
