Ohio enacts data center moratorium by...?

Ohio energy costs and grid stability for residential users depend on whether the state formalizes a suspension of large-scale data center approvals [1][5]. At least 138 Ohio municipalities and townships maintain active moratoriums on these facilities as of September 17, 2026 [3][4]. While 23 communities have enacted outright bans, another 23 are considering similar restrictions [3]. These local actions follow the September 30, 2026, failure of the U.S. Senate to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act, which fell three votes short of the 60 needed for cloture [1]. The federal bill sought to make large electricity users responsible for infrastructure costs [1].

The PJM Interconnection reports increasing energy demand gaps, identifying hyper-scale data centers—often exceeding 100 MW—as the primary load increase [5]. A Bowling Green State University poll released September 16, 2026, shows 78% of Ohioans support moratoriums until further impact studies are completed [4]. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has established a process to protect AEP Ohio customers from potential costs associated with these facilities [6].

Voters in Pataskala will decide on a city charter amendment to prohibit new data centers on November 3, 2026 [1]. The Ohio Legislature is currently considering House Bill 646, which addresses data center regulations during the 136th General Assembly [10]. A statement from the Ohio Department of Development would confirm any transition from the current tax exemption pause to a formal statewide moratorium on construction or grid interconnection.