Hunlock Township, Luzerne County
The energy trader that bought the Hunlock Creek Energy Center in 2024 said it was exploring data center development there, and DEP now lists a Castleton data center in Hunlock Township, though no permit applications have been filed.
On Nov. 19, 2024, CCI announced it had bought the Hunlock Creek Energy Center from UGI Energy Services and was exploring data center development there. On Feb. 5, 2026, the Times Leader reported Luzerne County's proposed data center zoning amendment for the municipalities it zones, including Hunlock Township, and the county planning director said no data center requests were pending. At the Feb. 12 county planning commission meeting, Hunlock Township residents asked for protections against light pollution and for homes to get priority for water during droughts. A March 12 revision raised setbacks to 2,000 feet for large data centers and allowed them in business districts if they're on the same parcel as an existing power generation station, and county staff said a Hunlock Township property owner had been approached about a battery storage system. The planning commission recommended the amendment to County Council on May 14, and on June 11 the county's new planning division head, Ted Ritsick, said he wanted more time to review it before a council vote. DEP's tracker lists the Castleton project as proposed with no applications as of October 22, 2026.
Update, October 26, 2026. On October 8, 2026 the Luzerne County Planning Commission sent a revised data center zoning amendment to County Council with a recommendation for final adoption. The revised version, which would apply in Hunlock Township and 18 other county-zoned municipalities, sets a 1,250-foot setback from sensitive receptors for the largest data centers, adds property-line sound limits and requires special exception approval from the county Zoning Hearing Board for every data center. County Council scheduled its first discussion of the amendment for its October 27, 2026 work session.
CCI said it was exploring additional gas-fired capacity alongside data center development at a site that already has 145.9 megawatts of gas generation plus a 44-megawatt unit, according to federal energy data.
Castleton Commodities International LLC (PR Newswire)Hunlock Township residents told the county planning commission that light pollution is a major concern in their rural community and asked for light curfews and downward-facing fixtures.
Times LeaderA Hunlock Township resident asked the county to add water reporting requirements and make sure homes get priority during droughts.
Times LeaderLeaders: Ginny Marcille-Kerslake
Tactics: Presented a model ordinance and urged 2,500-foot setbacks at the county planning commission
Not focused on the Hunlock project specifically.
In Pennsylvania, the local zoning ordinance sets the route. A conditional use is decided by the elected governing body (supervisors, commissioners or council). A special exception or variance, and an appeal of a zoning officer’s decision, go to the Zoning Hearing Board. Each is a public hearing on a record: affected neighbors can ask for party status, cross-examine witnesses, and appeal. Municipalities can also adopt data center ordinances with enforceable standards.
Know your rights →Organized community opposition is the single most effective check on these projects in Pennsylvania. Show up to hearings, submit comment when it is taken, support legal and expert-witness costs, and press your municipality for a real ordinance. Pennsylvania municipalities cannot simply freeze applications, but a curative amendment under the Planning Code gives them a defined window to fix a defective ordinance.
How communities push back →