HILLIARD DC CONCERNS

THE OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROECTION AGENCY IS TAKING PUBLIC INPUT ON A PROPOSED AIR PERMIT FOR AN AMAZON DATA CENTER IN HILLIARD, WEST OF COLUMBUS.
HILLIARD RESIDENTS SPEAKING OUT AT A PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE OHIO EPA FOCUSED ON AN AIR EMISSIONS PERMIT FOR THIS AMAZON DATA CENTER. THE DRAFT PERMIT WOULD ALLOW FOR 158 TIER 2 DIESEL GENERATORS, WHICH EMIT POLLUTION WHEN RUNNING. AMAZON SAYS THE BACK-UP GENERATORS RUN ONLY ABOUT 10 HOURS A YEAR, PRIMARILY FOR TESTING, AND THAT THEY COMPLY WITH ALL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS. BUT SOME RESIDENTS QUESTIONING HOW THAT'S DEFINED. OTHERS ALSO PUSHING FOR THE PERMIT TO REQUIRE CLEANER GENERATORS BE USED.


THE OHIO EPA IS TAKING PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS PERMIT THROUGH MARCH 25TH AT 5 P-M BOTH ONLINE AND VIA MAIL.