Project Hazelnut (NorthPoint, Hazle Township)
Also called: Project Hazlenut, NP Hazleton Logistics
NorthPoint wanted a 15-building data center campus on about 1,280 acres in Hazle Township. The township said no, and a judge upheld that. The township is now writing data center rules during a 180-day pause.
Where things stand: Township denied it in Nov. 2025 and a county judge agreed, but NorthPoint has appealed to Commonwealth Court, so it is not over. State permits are still under DEP review.
🕒 Latest update (Sept 2026): NorthPoint sent letters to about 4,500 households about the $10,000 offer. Many residents said no. The Commonwealth Court appeal was still pending.
What we know
- 📍 WhereAbout 1,280 acres near the north zone of Humboldt Industrial Park and a planned PPL substation, Hazle Township, Luzerne County
- 🏢 CompanyNP Hazleton Logistics LLC
- 🏛️ Owned byNorthPoint Development
- 👤 Built forAmazon Web Services (reported)
- 🌳 Size1,280 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromPlanned next to a new PPL substation (Tomhicken) and power line
- 🗼 New power linesYes
- 💧 WaterTreated wastewater from the Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority for cooling; drinking-type water from CAN DO's industrial park supplier (developer's statement)
- ❄️ CoolingWater cooling with treated wastewater in warm months, air cooling October to April (developer's statement)
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Will NorthPoint apply to the zoning hearing board for a special exception? 🙋 I'll find out
- What will the new data center rules say? 🙋 I'll find out
- What will Commonwealth Court decide on NorthPoint's appeal? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will NorthPoint keep or withdraw its pending water application at the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (No. 2025-149)? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- 2025NP Hazleton Holdings 1 LLC applied to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) for approval of water use by the data center (Pending No. 2025-149). As of October 2026 it is still listed as pending.
- Nov 2025Supervisors denied land development approval.
- Feb 18, 2026At a state DEP hearing, the developer said cooling water would be treated wastewater from the Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority, up to 2.8 million gallons for all 15 buildings, and that it would pay for the pipeline and plant upgrades. Residents asked how much would evaporate.
- June 2026Luzerne County judge denied the developer's appeal; township declared its zoning invalid on data centers and started a 180-day pause to write rules.
- June 2026NorthPoint offered a $165 million community benefits package, including $10,000 for each eligible township household, if the project is approved. NorthPoint had appealed to Commonwealth Court.
- Sept 2026NorthPoint sent letters to about 4,500 households about the $10,000 offer. Many residents said no. The Commonwealth Court appeal was still pending.
Local votes and rules
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Hazle Township supervisors unanimously declared parts of the township's zoning invalid because it does not cover data centers. This starts a pause of about 180 days on new data center applications while the planning commission writes new rules.
⚖️ Court case
A Luzerne County judge denied the Project Hazelnut developer's appeal of the township's rejection. The judge said the project should first go to the township zoning board for a special exception. The developer is now asking a state appeals court to review it.
✋ Turned down
Hazle Township supervisors unanimously rejected the land development plan for Project Hazelnut, a 15-building data center campus on about 1,280 acres near Humboldt Industrial Park. More than 200 residents came out against it.
Drag the slider to compare the land before and now.
Where this comes from
- Hazle Twp. finds zoning ordinance invalid, will draft amendment to address data centers · Times Leader · June 8, 2026
- Data centers as 2025 newsmaker of the year · The Times-Tribune (via Yahoo News) · Dec 28, 2025
- Project Hazelnut developers offer $10,000 grants amid ongoing opposition · FOX56 · June 24, 2026
- NorthPoint offers Hazle Township households $10,000 each; many residents say no · Hoodline · Sept 2026
- PA Data Center Permit Tracker - all projects list ('Project Hazelnut', Under Review / Pending) · Pennsylvania DEP · Oct 6, 2026
- WAAV project details: NP Hazleton Holdings 1, LLC (Pending 2025-149) · Susquehanna River Basin Commission · Oct 6, 2026
- Residents raise questions as developer describes Hazle Twp. data center plans at DEP hearing · WVIA · Feb 18, 2026
- DEP to host public meeting and hearing for Project Hazlenut data center · PA DEP · Feb 12, 2026
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