Ohio has laws in place aimed at promoting good governance and transparency to ensure citizens are informed about what is happening in their communities and can participate in the process, rather than be at the mercy of public officials. These laws cover general ethics, public records, and open meetings. However, they are only enforceable by individual citizen action. If violations are suspected that would result in problems like data center construction against local sentiment, citizens should be aware of their options for enforcement to fight back and ensure government transparency in their communities.

As data centers become more and more widespread, local communities are looking for tools to regulate their development. Among the available tools, zoning ordinances and subdivision and land development ordinances (aka SALDO) are two of the most powerful.

Local, state and federal governments all have the ability to declare a disaster declaration. Declarations can:

• Allow funds and aid money to enter the community;

• Mobilize people to come and help, such as the National Guard or medical workers;

• Increase distribution of supplies;

• Start anti-price gouging laws so that prices don’t rise due to supply needs; and

• Gives officials the power to start protective orders (ex: mandatory evacuations, curfews, travel restrictions).

In Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, the governor has the main authority to issue disaster declarations (except for West Virginia because the authority is also given to the legislature). Each state has their own definition of “disaster” and similar requirements once a state of emergency is declared. The state can get federal funding once they can demonstrate that they have exhausted all their resources.

Electricity bills around the United States are skyrocketing. (CNN). In Pennsylvania, household electricity prices have shot up nearly 50 percent over the past five years. (Inside Climate News). Ratepayers in Ohio and West Virginia have also experienced dramatic price increases. Low and middle-income households have had a hard time keeping up. (Pa. Capital-Star).  In 2025, nearly 290,000 Pennsylvania households had their electric service disconnected for falling behind on their payments — a 14 percent increase from 2024. (Pa. PUC). 

Losing electric service can harm physical and mental health. (ABC News).  In the most extreme cases, disconnection can result in homelessness or death. (Nature). To “keep the lights on,” families may forgo food, medicine, child care, and other basic needs. (Pa. Capital-Star).  

Given the stakes, it’s important to understand how electricity prices are set, why costs are going up, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.