Mayor and committee back independent reviews of proposed data center and power facility

At a village council meeting, the mayor and a committee recommended partnering with GAI Consultants to review air-permit applications and noise studies submitted by EdgeConnects and PowerConnects, and discussed commissioning Ohio State researchers to conduct a peer-reviewed literature synthesis.

The committee member proposing the work said, “So during our meeting tonight, we will have a resolution to partner with GAI Consultants,” and described the firm as an engineering consultant that would ‘‘check the homework’’ on permit documents and noise analyses. The committee outlined a scope of work that includes air-permit review, a noise-study review for a-band and c-band, a summary report and presentations for a stated total cost of $39,300.

The committee member said the intent is for GAI to provide an independent engineering review of the materials EdgeConnects and PowerConnects submitted to state regulators. The member added the committee would ask the council to treat the GAI contract as an emergency and to waive additional readings because an Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) public hearing is scheduled for August 19.

Council members pressed for clarity on funding. One member asked whether the $39,300 would come from a term sheet, and speakers discussed figures of $50,000 and, alternately, a possible $100,000 total. The proposing committee member said the plan was to use funds from the term sheet and noted any change orders would require mutual agreement.

On research, the committee described two proposals from Ohio State University’s College of Public Health, led by Dr. Kelly Archer. The first is a literature review of peer-reviewed studies on health impacts related to air, particulate matter and noise; the committee said Ohio State would fund that piece at no cost to the village and that the work is valued at about $8,700. “Ohio State has graciously agreed to fund that themselves through no cost to the village,” the committee member said.

The second Ohio State proposal is a more in-depth, laboratory-grade air-quality sampling plan estimated at roughly $65,000. Committee members said that sampling would be useful but is outside the village’s current budget; they discussed pursuing grants to cover such work and agreed to keep the option pending available funding.

The solicitor had not yet prepared an ordinance for either engagement; committee members said they would ask counsel to memorialize any agreement in writing and return an ordinance or resolution to the council for formal action. At the meeting, the council recorded routine business votes: approval of the June 1 minutes and a motion to adjourn.

Next steps: the committee intends to present a formal ordinance or resolution to authorize the GAI contract and to ask council to accept the Ohio State literature review so the university can begin work. Any additional sampling by Ohio State would depend on grant funding and timing.