Smith Applauds Rejection of Data Center Wastewater Permit

Today, state Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) released the following statement after the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected a permit that would have allowed data centers to discharge wastewater into the state’s waterways.

“This is a huge win and the correct decision for the state of Ohio,” said Smith. “In a time when data centers are straining the electric grid and increasing ratepayers’ bills, the last thing that Ohioans need is for multi-billion dollar corporations to also pollute their water. A clean environment drives a healthy economy. There is no economic interest in polluted water, and there certainly is no community desire that water quality gets worse. This decision is a step in the right direction to protect Ohioans, but the legislature must do more.”

In February, Ohio Senate Democrats sent a letter to the Ohio EPA urging them to reject the proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for data centers.

Today, the Ohio EPA announced that after carefully reviewing the significant volume of public comments received on the draft NPDES permit for data centers, they would not move forward with the general permit and would continue issuing individual permits for data centers.