Southern Ohio is set to host the world’s largest artificial intelligence data center, a project planned for the site of the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS). While data centers elsewhere in the U.S. face intense public opposition over resource usage, local leaders in Pike County are embracing the $1.5 trillion initiative, citing the site’s existing industrial infrastructure and potential for economic revitalization.
Why is Pike County embracing a project that others protest?
Communities across the United States are increasingly vocal in their opposition to AI data centers, citing concerns over high energy consumption, noise pollution, and water usage, according to reporting by WKRC and KUTV. In contrast, Pike County officials view the facility as a logical evolution for a site already equipped for heavy industrial power consumption. Steve Shepherd, executive director of the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI), noted that the former nuclear plant required massive infrastructure, including the ability to consume roughly three percent of the nation’s electricity—a capacity comparable to New York City’s total usage.
The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant once enriched uranium for U.S. nuclear weapons. The site is now being repurposed from a Cold War-era facility into a high-tech campus powered by natural gas and 18 small modular reactors (SMRs).
How will the project handle the site’s radioactive legacy?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is currently overseeing a $14 billion to $18 billion cleanup of the PORTS facility to address decades of radioactive contamination, as reported by WKRC. Jennifer Chandler, chair of the Scioto Valley-Piketon Area Council of Governments, confirmed that while some residential land remains too contaminated for housing, the U.S. EPA has determined the site is appropriate for industrial use. The expansion of the data center footprint includes the purchase of several contaminated residential properties, effectively transitioning them from restricted living areas to industrial zones.
What is the scale of the proposed technology campus?
The project represents a massive investment in regional infrastructure. According to Rich Hossfeld, Co-CEO of SB Energy, the construction phase will require a workforce of approximately 35,000 people. The campus is designed to include:
- A $33 billion natural gas-powered plant.
- 18 small modular reactors (SMRs) to provide nuclear-fueled energy.
- A footprint that will house the largest AI data center globally, funded by the Japanese investment group SoftBank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are other states protesting AI data centers?
Residents in states like Washington and Pennsylvania often oppose these projects due to fears regarding the strain on local power grids, excessive water consumption, and the noise generated by industrial-scale cooling and backup systems.
Is the former nuclear site safe for workers?
The U.S. Department of Energy is currently managing the decontamination process. According to local officials, industrial standards allow for the safe use of the land, provided that site-specific mitigation strategies are followed.
How does this project compare to traditional industrial development?
Unlike standard brownfield redevelopments, the PORTS campus leverages existing high-capacity electrical grids and water infrastructure left over from the site’s history as a uranium enrichment plant, which significantly reduces the need for new utility construction.
When evaluating the impact of large-scale industrial projects on local economies, look for the “infrastructure reuse” factor. Sites with pre-existing power and water access often face fewer regulatory hurdles than greenfield projects requiring entirely new utility networks.
What are your thoughts on repurposing former industrial sites for the AI boom? Share your perspective in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on the PORTS development.
