Hilliard drops appeal on permit for natural gas fuel cells for data center
The city of Hilliard, Ohio, has withdrawn its administrative appeal against an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit for a 72.9-megawatt natural gas fuel cell facility at an Amazon data center. Despite resident health concerns over emissions, the city's appeal was deemed an uphill battle due to state law limiting local authority. Hilliard plans to conduct air quality testing once the fuel cells become operational.
The City of Hilliard, Ohio, has formally withdrawn its administrative appeal against a permit issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for a 72.9-megawatt natural-gas-powered fuel-cell facility. This facility is slated for an Amazon Web Services data center campus located off Scioto Darby Road near Interstate 270. The city's appeal, originally filed in 2025 with the Environmental Review Appeals Commission, challenged the permit on behalf of residents who had expressed health concerns regarding potential fuel cell emissions.
Hilliard City Council President Emily Cole stated that the withdrawal does not signify an endorsement of the fuel-cell facility, but rather acknowledges the limited authority local communities possess under state law to challenge such projects. Cole emphasized that the city pursued the appeal out of a commitment to its residents, despite recognizing the inherent challenges.
Prior to the withdrawal, the city had requested two studies to assess the air quality impacts, which indicated that emissions were expected to remain within established health and safety thresholds. Hilliard now intends to conduct its own air quality testing once the natural gas fuel cells become operational to monitor the facility's real-world impact.