Oppose Draft General Permit OHD000001 for Data Center Discharges

I am writing to urge you to oppose Ohio EPA's Draft General Permit OHD000001, which would authorize data center facilities to discharge wastewater and stormwater into Ohio's waters. The public comment period closes on January 16, 2026, making immediate action critical to protect our state's water resources. This draft permit would allow data centers to discharge non-contact cooling waters, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, and stormwater runoff directly into our waterways. While the permit establishes limits for pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Residual Chlorine, and Residual Oxidants, these parameters represent only a fraction of potential contaminants that could harm aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources. Data centers consume enormous quantities of water for cooling operations, and their discharge volumes could significantly impact local water quality. The permit's monitoring requirements for flow volume, oil and grease, and temperature are insufficient safeguards against the cumulative effects of multiple facilities operating under this general permit. Ohio's rivers, streams, and lakes should not become industrial cooling systems for private corporations seeking to minimize their operational costs. General permits by their nature provide less rigorous oversight than individual permits tailored to specific facilities and receiving waters. Each data center location presents unique environmental conditions and community impacts that deserve individual assessment. A one-size-fits-all approach fails to account for sensitive watersheds, already-impaired water bodies, or downstream communities that depend on clean water for drinking, recreation, and economic vitality. I urge you to publicly oppose Draft General Permit OHD000001 and advocate for requiring individual NPDES permits for data center facilities. Ohio's water resources belong to all residents and must be protected from industrial degradation. Please submit comments to Ohio EPA before the January 16, 2026 deadline expressing your opposition to this permit and your commitment to safeguarding our waterways.