en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Ohio Business Roundtable has proposed amending the state's eminent domain laws to allow utility companies to occupy private land for energy infrastructure projects, such as data centers, before completing compensation. This move has raised concerns among Ohio farmers about potential erosion of property rights.

According to a public document, the Ohio Business Roundtable recommends that lawmakers extend the right of possession to energy infrastructure projects after determining public use and necessity. The proposal plans to introduce a system called "deposit and build," which is already implemented in 45 other states.

Evan Callicoat of the Ohio Farm Bureau stated that the protections currently available to landowners are being eroded. He noted that the proposal allows for rapid property seizure without prior payment for the land or court determination of landowners' rights and compensation, putting farmers at risk of losing their land and waiting months or even years for payment. Callicoat emphasized that the Farm Bureau does not oppose data center projects but firmly opposes violations of property rights.

Nick Rhodes of the Roundtable said the proposal is not intended that way. He explained that once a court determines the state or utility company can own the land, construction should be allowed to begin, while compensation appeals can continue. He argued that current projects may be delayed for years due to court proceedings.

Callicoat countered that landowners have the right to go to court, and no entity should take over the land before funds change hands. He fears the proposal is too broad, and while data center companies do not directly hold eminent domain power, the utility companies serving them do, potentially paving the way for land acquisition for data centers indirectly.

Regarding the "deposit and build" idea, Ohio State Senator Brian Chavez said it is a very hot topic and believes the state legislature is not ready to handle such matters in a short time. When asked whether data centers qualify as a public necessity, Chavez said he cannot quantify public goods but believes data infrastructure has become a public necessity. Callicoat responded that if data centers are deemed a necessity, it could open the door to more lenient land acquisition policies.

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