The fight over how to power central Ohio's data centers moved to a state hearing room Thursday night. The Ohio Power Siting Board held a public hearing on a proposed natural gas power plant that would serve a data center in New Albany's business park, and residents, environmental advocates and business leaders lined up on both sides, NBC4 reported.
The project
PowerConneX has proposed its third New Albany natural gas plant to power an EdgeconneX data center, NBC4 reports. Developers have started building their own power sources so they don't have to rely on the electric grid and raise electricity bills for others, but natural gas plants bring their own concerns.
According to NBC4, the plant would emit more than 480 tons of pollutants a year, including carbon monoxide and ammonia.
It's also part of a bigger buildout. NBC4 reports this is Licking County's seventh power plant project. One is active, four are under construction and two, including this one, are awaiting approval.
The case against
Opponents urged the board to say no.
"If the board is true to its mission to serve Ohio citizens and protect the environment and land use, it must deny this proposal," New Albany resident Diane Burack said.
Westerville resident Dawna Vroon said central Ohio has long been a place where companies want to locate and people want to live. "Will that be true if our air makes people sick?" she asked.
New Albany resident Dr. Michael Langowski said, "No matter what the EPA says is an acceptable level, no level is acceptable for children to inhale."
Cathy Becker, board president of Save Ohio Parks, pointed to the combined effect of all the projects. "If all seven are approved and are built, then they have the potential to emit up to 11.9 million pounds of greenhouse gas every year," she said.
The case for
Supporters, many of them people who work in the project area, focused on jobs. NBC4 reports backers pointed to the economic impact of the plant, including 2,000 construction jobs.
"It is developing careers that will provide a lifeline and stability for Ohio families," said Frank Hull, who works in the project area.
Ashley Labaki, who also works in the area, said the workforce "helps to create an infusion of money back into the economy through shopping, dining out and fueling up locally."
Dorsey Hager said, "These projects are not only high-tech but are safe with great amenities and working conditions."
What's next
The Ohio Power Siting Board has an evidentiary hearing scheduled for Nov. 4. That's where the formal case on the plant will be heard before the board makes a decision.
Why it matters for contractors
For central Ohio's construction workforce, the data center boom is now a power plant boom too. With seven power plant projects in Licking County alone, one running, four under construction and two awaiting approval, there's a steady stream of heavy industrial work for electricians, pipefitters, welders, ironworkers, concrete crews, crane operators and site contractors.
The 2,000 construction jobs cited by supporters show how much labor these projects need. Many of the speakers backing the plant were people who work in the project area, which says something about how important this work has become to local tradespeople.
But the hearing also shows the risks. Each plant has to go through the Ohio Power Siting Board, and opposition is organized and growing. Concerns about air quality and greenhouse gas emissions could slow approvals, add conditions or block projects altogether. Contractors who've planned their workload around a steady flow of these jobs should keep an eye on the Nov. 4 evidentiary hearing and the board's decision.
The trend of data center developers building their own power, rather than relying on the grid, is also worth watching. It means each new data center campus may come with a power plant attached, which doubles the construction opportunity but also doubles the permitting hurdles. Firms with experience in both data center and power generation work are in a strong position as long as the approvals keep coming.