Cleveland’s data center debate comes to three public hearings

Cleveland City Council is hosting public hearings on data centers as the city drafts potential regulations for them.

Council passed a three-month moratorium on new data centers this summer to give City Hall time to come up with permanent rules. That pause expires Oct. 20.

Data centers are not new to Cleveland. Smaller facilities have operated downtown for decades, storing information and connecting businesses, governments and residents to the internet. 

The artificial intelligence boom is driving demand for much larger “hyperscale” centers that can use far more electricity and water than Cleveland’s existing facilities.

The data center debate arrived at City Hall this spring, when a developer sought approval for a massive data center in Slavic Village. The proposed 300,000-square-foot facility would have required up to 150 megawatts of power. Cleveland rejected the permit.

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Ohio communities debating data centers

Across Ohio, communities are grappling with questions about who benefits — and who bears the costs of data centers. Concerns include pressure on the power grid, possible increases in electric rates, heavy water use, noise, air pollution from backup generators, tax incentives and the relatively small number of permanent jobs many facilities create.

Cuyahoga County has issued recommendations to help its 59 municipalities evaluate proposals. Among them: Require developers to pay for needed electrical upgrades, examine water use and environmental effects, set rules for noise and setbacks, and avoid secrecy agreements that keep residents from learning about projects until deals are far along.

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Cleveland data center public hearings

The public hearings over the next few weeks give residents a chance to learn more, ask questions, give comments and help shape what comes next. 

Collinwood

• When: Thursday, Sept. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Where: Collinwood Recreation Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland
• Details: Cleveland City Council is developing new policies for data centers and wants public input. Public comment sign-up begins at 5:30 p.m.

Cleveland City Hall

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland
Details: Cleveland City Council is developing new policies for data centers and wants public input. Public comments are welcome.

Gunning

When: Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Gunning Recreation Center, 16700 Puritas Ave., Cleveland
Details: Cleveland City Council is developing new policies for data centers and wants public input. Public comment sign-up begins at 5:30 p.m.