A growing debate over a data center in Hilliard took center stage as residents packed a public hearing to voice concerns about a proposed emergency generator.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is considering a request to add 158 emergency generators at an Amazon Web Services data center off Scioto Darby Creek Road.Dozens of neighbors attended the hearing, many raising concerns about potential air quality impacts and how close the facility is to homes, schools, and a nearby park.
“The people who live there kind of feel like they're in an experiment,” said Cathy Cowan Becker, a Hilliard resident.“I just don't think that we should be able to do this and have all these extra emissions right now,” said resident Darrius Smith. Local leaders are also weighing in. Norwich Township Trustee Brian Rothenburg said officials want stronger oversight if the project moves forward. “The only thing we can do is try to put pressure on the EPA to make sure that there's on-site monitoring, inside and out, that our fire department and our first responders know what they're getting into,” Rothenburg said. According to the Ohio EPA, the generators would run about 50 hours per year for maintenance, outside of emergency situations. The facility would also be required to track when the engines are operating.“We want accountability,” said Trevor Anderson, who lives next to the data center. Anderson says the issue is personal. He can see the site from his home, his children play at a nearby park, and his daughter attends Beacon Elementary School. “My concern is my children are going to be breathing in air that has a negative impact on their health—that’s a big deal to me,” he said. “If you’re saying it’s not a big deal, then prove it. Put monitoring equipment in place like other facilities have.” The Ohio EPA says public input will play a key role in determining whether the generators will be approved and what restrictions could be required.U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, has thrown his support behind a new federal push to expand concealed-carry rights for law enforcement officers.Husted said in a stThe odds of filling out a perfect NCAA tournament bracket may be long, but one Ohio lottery player just beat steep odds of a different kind.A $60 million lotterA former substitute teacher is facing charges after an alleged victim reported a sexual relationship that began when he was a student more than a decade ago.Keeping warm and keeping the lights on is about to cost more for AEP Ohio customers.The Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted for a rate increase that wFamily and friends are mourning a Reynoldsburg man they say was killed in a hit-and-run last week after he was struck several times while crossing East Main S
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