Hunlock Creek power plant data center idea (Castleton Commodities, Hunlock Township)
Also called: Hunlock Data Center (Castleton Commodities), Hunlock Creek Energy Center
The owner of the Hunlock Creek gas power plant said it is interested in building a small data center next to the plant. Hunlock Township uses Luzerne County's zoning, so it has to wait for the county's new data center rules. Shell has since agreed to buy the plant, so the plan may change.
Where things stand: Interest only. The owner told Luzerne County it wants a small data center next to its gas power plant, but it must wait for new county zoning rules.
🕒 Latest update (Sept 2026): News roundup reported that Shell Energy North America is buying the 169 MW Hunlock Creek gas plant.
Luzerne County Planning Commission. We don't know yet if Hunlock Creek power plant data center idea (Castleton Commodities, Hunlock Township) is on the agenda. Call the office to check before you go.
What we know
- 📍 WhereNext to the Hunlock Creek Energy Center along Route 11, Hunlock Township, Luzerne County
- 🏢 CompanyCastleton Commodities International LLC
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromNext to the 169 MW Hunlock Creek natural gas power plant (Shell later agreed to buy the plant).
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Does the new owner (Shell) still plan a data center at Hunlock Creek? 🙋 I'll find out
- How big would it be? 🙋 I'll find out
- Has an application been filed with Luzerne County? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- April 9, 2026County planning director said Castleton wants to build a small data center by its Hunlock Creek plant once the county zoning amendment passes.
- Sept 2026News roundup reported that Shell Energy North America is buying the 169 MW Hunlock Creek gas plant.
Local votes and rules
🗺️ Zoning change
Luzerne County is writing data center rules for the 19 towns that use county zoning. Every data center would need a special exception from the county zoning hearing board. The planning commission recommended it in May 2026 and meets Oct. 8 to review new changes from the county law office. County Council must still vote.
Drag the slider to compare the land before and now.
Where this comes from
- Interest expressed in data center by Hunlock Twp. power plant · Citizens' Voice · April 9, 2026
- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles (lists Shell purchase of Hunlock Creek plant) · PA Environment Digest · Sept 12, 2026
- PA Data Center Permit Tracker - all projects list (CSV behind the DEP map) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection · Oct 6, 2026
- Luzerne County's proposed data center zoning ordinance amendment up for discussion Thursday · Times Leader · Oct 4, 2026
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