Ohio data center expansion sparks opposition over gas: Here’s what to know

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Ohio residents push back against gas plants
New Albany residents are raising concerns about proposed natural gas plants intended to power large data centers in western Licking County. The debate includes projected greenhouse-gas emissions, conventional air pollution and the cumulative effects of several facilities planned in the same area. At an October 22 public hearing on the proposed PowerConneX New Albany 3 Energy Center, 37 people testified before the Ohio Power Siting Board. Five speakers supported the project, while the remaining speakers opposed it. The project is still under review. Depositphotos
Another power plant faces public scrutiny
The proposed PowerConneX New Albany 3 Energy Center would provide up to 450 megawatts of natural gas-fired generation as a primary electricity source for a data center on the same New Albany site. The Ohio Power Siting Board held a public hearing on October 22 at the New Albany-Plain Local Schools Early Learning Center. Nearly 100 people attended, and most of the 37 people who testified opposed the proposal. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for November 4 as the project remains under review. robert.buchel.fl1.li/Depositphotos
Seven plants could produce enormous pollution
The proposed project is part of a much larger buildout. Seven approved and proposed gas plants in the New Albany business park would have a combined capacity of 1,936 megawatts. However, generating that much power could come with a high environmental cost. The facilities have the potential to release 11.9 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, along with hundreds of tons of other pollutants. Depositphotos
Fine particles can reach deep into lungs
Not all air pollution is easy to see. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, consists of tiny particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers across. Their small size allows them to travel deep into the lungs, and some particles can enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure to these particles has been linked to heart disease, strokes, breathing problems, asthma, and premature death. The proposed gas plants could release a combined 766 tons of fine particulate matter each year, according to the report. Little-known fact: Combined-cycle gas plant utilization rose from 40% in 2008 to 57% in 2022. Depositphotos
Children face special health concerns
Children can be especially vulnerable to air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they may spend substantial time outdoors. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular health risks. The proposed facilities are located in a growing part of western Licking County near residential communities. That proximity has made potential air-quality effects an important issue for residents participating in the state review process.

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A Virginia study raises warning signs
A 2026 study examined the possible health costs of a 135-megawatt gas plant powering a data center in Virginia. According to the report, researchers estimated that pollution from the facility could cause $53 million to $99 million in annual health-related damages. Those projected costs included missed work and school, hospital stays, and an estimated 3.4 to 6.5 additional deaths per year in the affected region. The study was conducted by a Harvard-affiliated health scientist. Depositphotos
Different gas technologies are proposed
Natural gas plants can use several generation technologies. Combined-cycle plants capture heat from the initial combustion process to generate additional electricity, generally making them more efficient than simple-cycle systems. The proposed NEO Power Generation Facility would use 500 megawatts of simple-cycle natural gas generation, while other New Albany projects use different equipment, including reciprocating engines. Those technology choices affect fuel efficiency and emissions and are being examined during the permitting process. Depositphotos
Engines add another pollution concern
PowerConneX 3 would use 30 reciprocating internal combustion engines to generate electricity. These machines operate on a principle similar to a car engine, but they are much larger. Such engines can be built and installed more quickly than some other power systems, helping explain their appeal for data center projects. However, their lower efficiency can mean more natural gas is needed to generate the same amount of electricity, adding to concerns about emissions and nearby air quality. Sepia100/Depositphotos
Data centers need power quickly
Data centers support many digital services people use every day, from online storage to artificial intelligence tools. As demand for computing grows, companies need large and reliable electricity supplies to keep their facilities running. Some developers are turning to on-site gas power because equipment can be obtained and built faster than certain alternatives. Yet speed comes with trade-offs when less efficient systems are used. The New Albany debate highlights a difficult question for communities across the country, how can growing technology needs be met without placing too much environmental pressure on people living nearby? Fun fact: U.S. data centers used an estimated 192 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, equal to 4.7% of the nation’s total electricity consumption. Depositphotos
Ohio has faced extreme heat and poor air
July 2026 was the warmest July and warmest month on record for the contiguous United States, according to NOAA, with an average temperature of 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Central Ohio also experienced exceptionally poor air quality in July as smoke from Canadian wildfires moved through the region. Columbus recorded its worst air-quality reading on record during that episode. The wildfire event was separate from the proposed New Albany power plants, which remain under regulatory review.

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The post Ohio data center expansion sparks opposition over gas-fired power appeared first on When In Your State.

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Some plants received faster approval
Ohio has approved several behind-the-meter gas-generation projects in the New Albany area through different regulatory pathways. Some, including Socrates South and PowerConneX I, used the state’s accelerated application process. Under Ohio’s accelerated-review rules, an application can become automatically approved if the Ohio Power Siting Board does not act before the specified deadline. The process does not automatically require the same local public hearing used for full certificate applications, although filings must be distributed to designated local governments and agencies. Other New Albany projects followed the standard application process, which included public hearings before approval. VahanN/Depositphotos
More residents are speaking out
Public interest appears to be growing as residents learn more about the proposed facilities. On October 6, more than 50 people gathered in a New Albany meeting room for a hearing on the NEO Power Generation Facility, a proposed 500-megawatt plant intended to support Meta’s Prometheus data center. According to the report, five industry and union representatives spoke in favor of the project, while 20 people voiced opposition. Most opponents were residents of New Albany and nearby communities. How could the rapid growth of data centers affect a state’s electricity supply and infrastructure? Discover why Ohio’s expanding data center industry is raising questions about power demand, grid capacity, and the infrastructure needed to support future growth. Depositphotos
Can growth come with less pollution
The debate in New Albany extends beyond a single proposed power plant. Multiple gas-generation facilities are operating, approved or under review to serve large data centers, raising questions about electricity supply, air emissions, land use and public participation. Those issues are now receiving greater attention in the state review process. At the October 22 PowerConneX 3 hearing, most of the 37 people who testified opposed the project, while five speakers supported it. The Ohio Power Siting Board will continue reviewing the proposal before making a final decision. Can turning unused industrial sites into data centers create new challenges for local electricity customers? Find out why Kentucky’s data center plans are raising concerns about power costs and what the projects could mean for energy demand and nearby communities. What balance should Ohio strike between digital growth and local well-being? Share your thoughts. This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing. Read More From This Brand:

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The post Ohio data center expansion sparks opposition over gas-fired power appeared first on When In Your State.