In a significant move that could reshape the landscape of Lackawanna County, PPL Corp. and its joint venture with Blackstone Infrastructure have acquired over 11 square miles of land to explore the construction of at least two massive power plants dedicated to data centers. The acquisition includes land bordering a critical source of public drinking water, prompting a wave of concern from local residents and officials.
The joint venture signed agreements in April and June to purchase nearly 7,200 acres across several towns in northern Lackawanna County. This expansion comes as the region emerges as a hotbed for speculative data center development, with around 90 proposed projects, though some developers have adjusted plans to fewer but larger facilities. The venture has also filed requests to add 2.25 gigawatts of natural gas power plants in the county.
The exact locations of the power plants remain unclear, but the timing of the requests coincides with a memorandum to purchase land for a "west campus" in Carbondale Twp., which extends north through Fell Twp. An east campus encompasses properties from Archbald to the Brownell Reservoir in Carbondale Twp., a key water source for surrounding communities.
Local opposition to the plans has been swift and fierce. Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan, a vocal opponent of data centers, expressed his outrage, stating, "Our county should not be offered up as the sacrificial lamb of the AI revolution." He accused the developers of exploiting the county for economic gain without considering the long-term consequences.
Despite the backlash, PPL Corp. spokesman Ryan Hill confirmed the venture's intention to purchase land for power generation evaluation, emphasizing that not all of the acquired land will necessarily be developed. "The benefit of having large sites is that they provide flexibility for setbacks, buffers, open space, green space, and other considerations for a project such as a generation project," Hill said.
Hill also clarified that the joint venture will not proceed with a power plant unless a long-term agreement with a data center is signed. He reassured the public that the venture is committed to engaging transparently with local officials, stakeholders, and the community, focusing on delivering reliability, affordability, and local benefits.
However, the plans remain controversial. Gaughan argued that the rush for data centers and power plants has crossed the line from economic development to exploitation, "stampeding right over the people of this county." He fears that the county is being used as a testing ground for a speculative industry that may not be sustainable.
Despite the preliminary nature of the developments, the 1,500-megawatt and 750-megawatt power plants are expected to be operational by January 1, 2033, and January 1, 2034, respectively. PPL Corp. has emphasized that these power plants will contract with large customers rather than selling to the grid, thus avoiding market volatility.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the proposed data center power plants will impact Lackawanna County. The decisions made in the coming months could have long-lasting effects on the county's environment, economy, and quality of life.
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