Residents of Fell Township, Lackawanna County, are closely monitoring plans by Invitium Energy, a venture backed by PPL Corporation and Blackstone Infrastructure, to explore nearly 7,200 acres for potential energy development. The project may involve constructing two large natural gas-fired power plants intended to supply electricity for data center operations.
The land under consideration includes a 4,860-acre West Campus extending from Carbondale to Fell Township, and a 2,200-acre East Campus near Archbald and the Brownell Reservoir. During a recent informational meeting, locals expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed development on their community, with a particular focus on water usage.
Tadd Henniger, Senior Vice President at PPL Corporation, noted that they are investigating cooling technologies to minimize water consumption at both the power plants and data centers. “We are committed to evaluating air-cooled generation solutions… to significantly reduce water usage,” he stated.
Fell Township resident Mary Ruddy emphasized the need for transparency and public involvement, particularly for those living near Dundaff Street. She voiced worries about how the development might affect local homes and water resources. Currently, no specific sites for the power plants have been chosen and no formal proposals have been submitted.
