COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno has released a statement regarding the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) draft for a permit that would let data centers discharge untreated wastewater and stormwater into Ohio waterways.

The new permit would create a one-stop statewide approval process for data centers that release wastewater into bodies of water such as Lake Erie and the Ohio River.

The statement by Senator Moreno said, "Ohio should not compromise the integrity of our waterways to help data centers. The companies putting these centers up have so much money we expect the water going back into our rivers to be cleaner than ever before!"

Every Ohio EPA permit includes strict limits and monitoring requirements to ensure water quality standards are met at the state and federal levels. The Ohio EPA additionally does not allow discharges like wastewater that could harm aquatic life, recreation or human health.

Environmental advocates previously told 21 News that one of their concerns regarding the permit is how data centers use a large amount of water for cooling the building and equipment. They worry that once the discharge runs through pipes and HVAC systems, the discharge can change water conditions and release unwanted chemicals.

According to the permit, pollutants such as oil, grease, phosphorus, and chlorine could be present in these discharges.

In January, the Ohio EPA responded to advocates' concerns with the following statement:

"A general permit streamlines the administrative process for sites, making the permitting process faster and more efficient for the facility and Ohio EPA, while remaining protective of human health and the environment. By including strict eligibility criteria to be allowed coverage under the general permit, Ohio EPA can allow for a more concise permit application that includes specific information to ensure a project is eligible."

The permit is still in its draft phase and has not been approved at the time of this story's publication. 

RELATED COVERAGE: