Pa. environmental groups appeal permit for massive gas power plant meant to fuel data center

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection granted a permit for a proposed 4.4 gigawatt natural gas power plant meant to fuel a massive data center at the former Homer City coal-fired power plant site. Three environmental groups, including the Clean Air Council, PennFuture, and the Sierra Club, have appealed the permit, arguing that the plant would emit more greenhouse gases than all the cars in Pennsylvania and that the DEP failed to adequately engage the surrounding community and properly assess the environmental and social costs. The groups claim the project violates the state's Environmental Rights Amendment and that the DEP prioritized speed over accuracy in its review. They argue the DEP should have conducted a comprehensive review of the entire 3,200-acre data center campus project, including water use and noise pollution.