Documents reveal $35 billion plan, locations for Newport Twp. data center campus
Fit Energy is seeking to build a 15-data-center campus in Newport Township, backed by a planned $35 billion investment and on-site power infrastructure. Township officials issued permits after adopting zoning rules allowing data centers by right, but hundreds of residents have objected and state Rep. Alec Ryncavage says residents may have legal grounds to challenge the ordinance.
Documents released by Newport Township show that Fit Energy plans a 15-building data center campus covering about 7.7 million square feet on land owned by Newport Aggregate Inc. The proposed $35 billion development would include substations, utility infrastructure, access roads, stormwater facilities and three natural-gas-powered fuel stations. Fit Energy says it may partner with FuelCell Energy on non-combustion natural-gas fuel cells to reduce demand on the regional grid.
The township’s zoning officer issued permits for the 15 data centers in August after township commissioners approved an ordinance allowing data centers by right in designated areas. The ordinance still requires a land-development application addressing issues including emergency services, hydrologic impacts, noise, environmental effects and utility coordination.
Hundreds of residents attended a commissioners meeting to oppose the project and question whether the permitting and zoning process was transparent. State Rep. Alec Ryncavage said residents may have a legal avenue to challenge the ordinance, arguing they may not have received adequate notice before its enactment.