Construction begins on $10B natural gas power plant and data center in Indiana County

Construction has officially begun on a massive $10 billion project in Center Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, which includes a 4.4-gigawatt natural gas-fueled power plant and hyperscale data centers. Homer City Redevelopment LLC, the plant owner, announced that aboveground work started after extensive underground foundation work. Kiewit Power Constructors Co. is building the power plant, which is expected to create 10,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs. The 3,200-acre site, formerly a coal-fired power plant, is being financed by Knighthead Capital Management LLC, a New York-based private equity firm, which has invested over $1 billion. Environmental organizations, including PennFuture and Concerned Residents of Western PA, have raised concerns. Colin Maynard, a Homer City Redevelopment spokesman, stated that while 37 megawatts will power the data centers, the rest will be sold to PJM, the electric grid manager. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) tentatively decided to issue a permit for a 5.8-mile natural gas pipeline, but environmental groups are calling for additional protections. Jessica O'Neill, managing attorney for litigation for PennFuture, emphasized the importance of public input, with Annie Regan, campaigns manager, advocating for more studies to prevent thermal pollution and siltation in cold-water fisheries. A public hearing on the pipeline permit application is scheduled for May 12 at the Indiana Theatre.