PUC to hold public hearings on proposed water service expansion for Luzerne Co data center

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two telephonic public hearings for July 7 to address an application for water service expansion in Luzerne County. Greater Hazleton CAN DO Inc. is seeking approval to extend its water service area to support a proposed data center campus near the Humboldt Industrial Park. The planned data center, known as "Project Hazelnut," is a massive 15-to-19 building campus by NorthPoint Development, slated for over 1,200 acres across parts of Hazle Township, Sugarloaf Township, and West Hazleton Borough. The project is already facing significant community opposition and is embroiled in rezoning and legal battles concerning its potential environmental and infrastructure impacts. Construction is proposed to take place between 2026 and 2029. The PUC hearings are designed to collect testimony from residents and other stakeholders, which will become part of the official record as the commission considers the water service expansion request. The application was initially filed in January, with a final decision pending the completion of the review process.