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Residents urge Conneaut Council to impose moratorium on data centers, citing water, pollution and tourism concerns
Summary
Multiple residents told Conneaut City Council they want a one‑year moratorium on data centers, citing concerns about water use, potential contaminants in cooling discharges, PFAS, noise and harm to tourism. Council did not take immediate action on a moratorium during the meeting.
During the public‑comment period on April 27, several Conneaut residents urged City Council to enact a moratorium on data-center development while the community studies environmental and infrastructure impacts. Joel Specht (292 N. Amboy Road) asked whether council members had signed nondisclosure agreements and distributed informational pamphlets urging a moratorium. "Twenty‑five areas have instituted a moratorium," he said, and he asked Council to consider the same.
Lisa Specht (348 Liberty Street) read from the draft NPDES general permit for data centers and quoted its language that permitting "accommodate[s] important social and economic development in the state of Ohio," arguing that the permit reduces protections and that Conneaut Creek, Turkey Creek and nearby Lake Erie are warm‑water habitats capable of supporting diverse species.
Other speakers raised complementary concerns: Brian Gildone (10 North Hill Drive) cited worries about heavy metals and chemicals used in cooling systems and the volume of water data centers might use; Diane McKenna, representing the Conneaut Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau has worked to grow tourism and warned a data center could harm visitor appeal and public health, citing a George Mason University study she said links data‑center operations to air, water and noise impacts and suggesting PFAS concerns from cooling systems. Emma Greenwood (Ashtabula) said residents near existing data centers report low water pressure, high power bills and persistent noise.
Speakers also argued local construction capacity is limited and that tax abatements for large projects could reduce local fiscal benefits. Linda Donnelly asked about barricades at the lagoons that she said displaced about 60 boats; City Manager Nick Sanford said he would look into the lane restriction and its effect on parking. No Council motion or vote on a moratorium occurred at the meeting.
Council did not adopt any action on the permit or a moratorium during the session; residents said they will continue outreach and requested formal study and consideration at future meetings.
