Hearings set as PUC considers request to provide water service to Hazleton area data centers

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two telephonic public hearings for July 7 regarding a request from CAN DO to expand its water division's service territory. CAN DO seeks approval to provide 30,000 gallons of potable water per day for domestic use to Northpoint Development's planned Project Hazelnut data center campus, located north of the Humboldt Industrial Park. The Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority is slated to supply an additional 350,000 gallons of recycled water daily for data center cooling. The data center project has faced significant local opposition, with Hazle Township having previously denied Northpoint Development's application, a decision that has led to an ongoing appeal and court case. PUC Administrative Law Judges Steven K. Haas and Emily A. Farren will preside over the upcoming hearings.