Citizens question system in place to monitor and regulate emissions from power plant at data center

Residents of Middleton Township, Ohio, are voicing strong concerns over a 350-megawatt natural gas power plant, the Apollo Power Generation Facility, being built by Will-Power to exclusively power a neighboring Meta data center. Citizens expressed a profound lack of trust in the regulatory process and fear the plant's emissions will violate air pollution standards. During a recent public hearing on the draft air permit-to-install for the Apollo plant, 58 people gathered to hear from EPA officials and testify. Residents, including Debbie Dalke of Bowling Green and Mary Corder of Middleton Township, pleaded for an air monitoring station closer to the plant, arguing the existing Wood County monitor in Bowling Green is too far. They also called for the EPA to consider the cumulative emissions from both the power plant and the Meta data center, which will operate its own diesel generators. Several speakers, like Joe DeMare and Leatra Harper of Bowling Green, criticized the review process, citing inadequate time for public comments and issues with the online notice for the draft permit. They questioned the EPA's consideration of alternative power sources and its ability to enforce rules effectively, especially given perceived federal government influence. EPA environmental specialist Clint Reed stated that emission rates are guaranteed by manufacturers and that carbon dioxide would not be measured on-site as it's not expected to meet a threshold of concern, a point questioned by attendees. The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approved the power plant in February through an expedited review process for facilities dedicated to a single customer, bypassing public input. Matt Butler, OPSB's public information officer, explained the accelerated 'letter of notification' process was used, leading to automatic approval if no board member requested further review. The plant, scheduled to be partially operational by mid-2027 and fully by late 2027, will adhere to 34 conditions designed to minimize impacts.