Chair and Members of the Ohio Power Siting Board,

I recognize that it is likely unprecedented for an active gubernatorial candidate to submit written comment to the Ohio Power Siting Board. I am doing so because ensuring local projects benefit local communities is a core tenet of the way I intend to lead this state.

As you are aware, Ashville residents, the people most impacted by the proposed data center and power plant, have made their views on this project unmistakably clear, through public comment to this Board and through a referendum on the Village’s agreement with EdgeConneX that will be decided on the November ballot.

The Governor’s race is also on the ballot this November. This will be an important determinant of Ohio’s energy policy and data center policy starting in 2027. These facts create considerable uncertainty around this project. In just a couple of weeks, there will be much greater clarity.

I have made three nonnegotiable commitments to Ohioans for all future data centers:

First, new data centers should cover the cost of electricity for local residents. This is especially relevant to this case, as the current proposal for this behind-the-meter plant is not expected to provide electricity to its local residents – meaning Pickaway County residents would be better served by a delay of a few months.

Second, new data centers and associated projects should not receive special tax breaks such as property tax abatements. Instead, they should contribute directly to lower property taxes for homeowners in their communities.

Third, these projects will need to meet water and emissions standards using best available technology, with independent monitoring and transparency with the public.

I have also made commitments to ensure greater transparency in the siting of future data centers and pragmatic, like vegetative insulation, to mitigate concerns about noise and unsightliness.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge the members of the Ohio Power Siting Board to give the voting public, both the people of Ashville in their referendum and the people of Ohio in the gubernatorial election, the chance to vote on this issue in less than two weeks. This will enhance public trust in whatever decision is reached and improve the certainty of the outcome, rather than by a premature decision which could make compliance with future state law more complicated and costly for the developer if the project is approved.

Respectfully,

Vivek Ramaswamy