PA Quarry Land Redeveloped for Non-Combustion Fuel Cell Project

Old mining land in Pennsylvania is getting a second life. Fit Energy just announced plans to turn a former quarry and mining site in Newport Township into a clean power generation and data center project.

The township approved the zoning for the project back in August 2026. Now, the team is working on engineering and permits before construction starts.

This project uses land that was already disturbed, so there is no need to cut down many trees or build on farmland. That is a huge win for land conservation.

Power will come from natural gas fuel cells made by FuelCell Energy, a Connecticut company. These fuel cells do not burn fuel. They create electricity through an electrochemical process. That means they run quietly and produce much cleaner energy.

The facility will not rely as heavily on the local power grid because the power is generated on-site. The site design also includes landscaping, setbacks, and screening to keep the facility hidden from nearby homes and roads.

The project brings big upgrades to local infrastructure, including better water, sewer, natural gas, and power lines. Construction will create jobs for local tradespeople and suppliers. Once it is running, the facility will need permanent workers for security, maintenance, operations, and technology management.

It will also bring steady tax money to Newport Township, the local school district, and Luzerne County (about 2 hours north of Philadelphia and 2 hours west of New York City).

Working Together for a Common Goal

Fit Energy is currently working with the township on a Community Benefits Agreement to fund local priorities.

Joe Hillan, the Newport Township Manager, shared his thoughts on the partnership, “The Newport Township Commissioners have been proactive in their response to promote development in appropriately zoned sections of the Township that respects community input and promotes investments that create new jobs and new local tax revenue that enhance the quality of life for all Township residents. We recognize Fit Energy has made significant commitment to this development, and we welcome the company’s investment in our community and appreciate Fit Energy’s willingness to work with the Township to address any and all community concerns.”

Fit Energy plans to keep communication open. The company will host a public meeting where residents can ask questions and meet the team.

Joel Leonoff, CEO of Fit Energy, explained the goal, “A project like this is most successful when the community has the opportunity to hear directly from the people building it. We’re committed to being transparent, answering questions, and building a long-term relationship with Newport Township as we move through the next stages of this project.”

You can check out project updates and event details at www.newportdatacenter.com.