Ramaswamy proposes data center electricity plan

Republican United States — Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy proposed on August 6, 2026 that new data centers in United States — Ohio must pay for or reimburse the electricity bills of nearby residents, end property tax abatements, and comply with strict environmental standards, or face a ban. He pledged to sign an executive order on his first day in office to halt new data center approvals until the legislature codifies these requirements. His Democratic opponent Amy Acton has proposed a conditional moratorium on new data centers unless they cover utility costs, use 100% union labor, and build on brownfields. Current Governor Mike DeWine has extended a pause on new tax exemptions for data centers through the end of his term. The proposal comes amid growing public opposition to data centers, with a Gallup survey showing 70% of Americans oppose local AI data center construction. A campaign to ban most data centers is collecting signatures for a 2027 ballot initiative. Buckeye Institute's Greg Lawson called the idea innovative, while organizer Jessica Baker expressed skepticism.