To amend sections 1521.01 and 1521.99 and to enact sections 9.72 and 1521.232 of the Revised Code regarding the withdrawal and consumptive use of water by data centers and to name the act the Responsible Water Use by Data Centers Act.
Summary
SB 378, titled the Responsible Water Use by Data Centers Act, creates a new regulatory framework for data centers that withdraw water in Ohio. It requires owners or operators of data centers to obtain a specific consumptive use permit before withdrawing any amount of water that results in consumptive use, and it directs the chief of the Division of Water Resources to adopt rules governing permit issuance, transfer, expiration, hearings, reporting, suspension, and revocation. The bill also bars permits for projects that would create a new or increased consumptive use averaging more than five million gallons per day in any 30-day period.
The bill further adds a new cost-allocation rule for water and sewer systems serving data centers. It makes the data center owner or operator responsible for all infrastructure costs attributable to the data center’s establishment and operation, and it states that other ratepayers in the service area are not responsible for those costs. The bill also allows six or more residents to petition for an investigation of alleged permit violations and establishes misdemeanor penalties and fines for violations of the new permit requirements or permit conditions.
Impact
SB 378 would amend Ohio’s water-resources laws in Chapter 1521 and create a new section in the Revised Code specifically regulating data-center water withdrawals and consumptive use. It would add a dedicated permitting process for data centers, limit large-scale consumptive use, authorize administrative rulemaking and enforcement by the Division of Water Resources, and impose criminal penalties for violations. It would also shift certain water and sewer infrastructure costs away from general ratepayers and onto data center owners or operators, potentially affecting utility billing, project siting, and development costs for large digital infrastructure projects.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s framing and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be presented as a consumer- and resource-protection bill aimed at ensuring data centers pay their own water-related costs and do not overburden public water supplies. The title and structure suggest a policy response to concerns about rapid data-center growth, water consumption, and utility cost allocation. No formal vote history or transcript comments are available here to show organized support or opposition, but the bill’s regulatory approach indicates a generally precautionary tone.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the five-million-gallon-per-day threshold, the new permit requirement for any consumptive use by data centers, and the mandate that data centers bear all attributable infrastructure costs. Supporters would likely view these provisions as necessary to protect water resources and prevent other utility customers from subsidizing large facilities, while opponents may argue the bill could discourage investment, create permitting uncertainty, or impose burdensome costs and operational limits on data-center development. The petition and enforcement provisions may also be debated as to whether they provide appropriate public oversight or invite administrative and legal challenges.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3505.01 and 3505.10 of the Revised Code to modify the deadline for a political party to certify its nominees for President and Vice-President to the Secretary of State.
To delay the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Secretary of State for the 2024 general election.