Meta Data Centre Expansion Fuels Debate Over Fast-Tracked Power Plants

Breanne Kidd once began her mornings by watching the sun rise over farmland from the front window of her home while preparing for the children attending her daycare. However, that rural landscape has changed dramatically over the past year. Cranes, steel structures and construction dust now dominate the view as work progresses on Meta’s 800-acre Bowling Green data centre in Ohio.

More concerning for Kidd was the construction of a large natural gas power plant intended to supply the facility. Located directly across from her home in Wood County, around 25 miles south of Toledo, the Apollo Generating Station has become a focal point for local concerns about environmental impacts and public transparency.

Off-Grid Power Projects Expand Across The United States

The Apollo facility represents one of dozens of off-grid power projects being developed to meet growing demand from the technology sector. According to a Reuters review of regulatory filings and interviews with residents, officials, researchers and industry representatives, these projects are advancing rapidly across the country.

Unlike traditional power plants, many of these facilities are built to serve a single data centre. As a result, developers often argue that they are exempt from permitting requirements, environmental studies and public hearings that would normally apply to large-scale energy projects.

Consequently, residents have frequently received little notice about developments that could affect local air quality and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In some cases, developers have relied on non-disclosure agreements, shell companies or accelerated approval processes that limit public scrutiny.

Michael Cork, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University, said off-grid natural gas generation linked to artificial intelligence development is becoming a significant and under-examined air-quality concern.

Rapid Approvals Raise Questions

The Apollo Generating Station received approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board on 3 February, less than three months after plans were submitted. Records show that the state’s draft air permit did not become publicly available until March, after construction had already begun.

Although the facility will exclusively serve Meta, project documents identified the customer as Liames LLC, a subsidiary associated with the development.

Research firm Cleanview provided data indicating that at least 57 off-grid power plants are proposed or under construction across the United States to support individual data centres. Together, these projects represent approximately 73,000 megawatts of generating capacity, enough to power tens of millions of homes.

Reuters identified more than a dozen projects that secured approval in less than a year, often with limited public awareness. Two facilities are already operating, including one serving xAI near Memphis and another supporting Vantage Data Centers in Ashburn, Virginia.

Supporters argue that dedicated power projects are essential for advancing artificial intelligence while avoiding increased electricity costs for consumers.

Government Support And Local Concerns

The Trump administration has advocated faster approval processes for AI-related infrastructure, citing competition with China. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency and several states, including Ohio, West Virginia, Texas and Utah, have introduced or adopted measures aimed at accelerating project approvals.

The EPA said it is pursuing a governance-focused approach while supporting efforts to establish the United States as a global leader in artificial intelligence. The agency also noted that state and local authorities often control permitting decisions.

The Data Center Coalition, whose members include Meta, Amazon and Microsoft, stated that developers remain committed to acting as responsible neighbours while securing necessary power supplies.

Ohio further accelerated approvals through legislation allowing certain AI-related power projects to gain approval in as little as 45 days without public hearings. State officials view data centres as a major economic opportunity, particularly in northwest Ohio, where access to land, water and natural gas infrastructure attracts investment.

Gary Thompson of the Regional Growth Partnership said officials hope to attract 10 hyperscale data centres to the region. Nevertheless, some residents have called for a more measured approach, warning that multiple large facilities could create broader public health concerns.

Secrecy And Transparency Under Scrutiny

Concerns over transparency have intensified following the adoption of provisions that shield major projects such as data centres from certain public records requirements in Ohio. Critics argue that these measures limit public access to information and reduce accountability.

Andrew Kear, a political scientist at Bowling Green State University, said the restrictions undermine principles of transparency and accountability. Residents have also expressed frustration about difficulties obtaining information regarding proposed developments in their communities.

Similar debates have emerged elsewhere. Microsoft announced in March that it would discontinue the use of non-disclosure agreements nationwide following criticism related to projects in Wisconsin.

Meta stated that confidentiality agreements are a standard part of site-selection processes and do not prevent public engagement. Even so, details of the Bowling Green development remained hidden for nearly two years under the codename “Project Accordion” and were filed through Liames LLC.

As artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to expand, questions surrounding environmental oversight, public participation and transparency are likely to remain central to discussions about future development.

With inputs from Reuters