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HB 784

Require data center water consumption reports

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Munira Abdullahi and 5 co-sponsors

Ohio bill requiring data centers to report water consumption to state agencies for transparency and resource management tracking.

Referred to committee
#environmentandnaturalresources
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Bill Summary · HB 784

Legislative bill overview

HB 784 would require data centers operating in Ohio to submit regular reports on their water consumption to the state. The bill establishes mandatory disclosure and monitoring of water usage by these facilities, which are known to consume significant quantities of water for cooling operations.

Why is this important

Data centers are among the most water-intensive industrial operations, often consuming millions of gallons daily in regions where water scarcity is increasingly a concern. Public reporting requirements create transparency around resource use, enable better state-level planning for water management, and could incentivize facilities to adopt more efficient technologies. This is particularly relevant as Ohio faces potential water stress and data center expansion continues nationwide.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Data centers may argue that implementing detailed water tracking systems and regular reporting requirements increases operational expenses, potentially affecting their competitiveness or willingness to locate in Ohio
  • Proprietary business concerns: Facilities might claim detailed water consumption data could reveal operational details that competitors could exploit or that reporting burdens are excessive relative to public benefit
  • Regulatory scope: Debate over which facilities are covered (size thresholds), reporting frequency, and what data must be disclosed, as overly broad requirements could be burdensome while narrow ones may not capture meaningful information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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