Ashville Data Center & Gas Power Plant
A global data center developer offered Ashville, Ohio $102 million to approve a massive facility on 195 acres, declaring it an emergency so residents wouldn't have a chance to organize a referendum that would have allowed the public to vote on it. An application for a 800 MW natural gas plant is currently being considered by the Ohio Power Siting Board, with a decision expected by October 2026.
This site is dedicated to understanding the dynamics involved with constructing and operating the data center and associated gas plant, as well as the various regulatory, scientific, and bureaucratic layers involved.
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How and Why Ashville Said Yes
A small town in Ohio faces a $12.5M bill for a new water treatment plant, and an additional series of EPA violations. Without any options, the Village Council approved 195 acres for development of a data center in exchange for $102M, declaring an emergency so residents wouldn't have a chance to vote on it. Here is what happened, and what comes next.