Hilliard Hosts Open House on Controversial Data Center Fuel Cells

AEP plans to install over 200 natural gas-powered fuel cells at an Amazon facility, drawing concerns from the city

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The City of Hilliard is pushing back against plans by American Electric Power (AEP) to install natural gas-powered fuel cells at an Amazon data center. Despite the city's legal challenges, AEP is moving forward with the project and will host an open house in March to address community concerns about the fuel cells' carbon dioxide emissions.

Why it matters

The fuel cell project is controversial because of the potential environmental impact, with the city arguing the fuel cells will emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Hilliard is seeking to address these concerns, but faces legal limitations in its ability to block the project.

The details

AEP is planning to install over 200 fuel cells from Bloom Energy at the Amazon data center site in Hilliard. The fuel cells will generate electricity through a chemical reaction, not combustion, but will still emit around 1.45 million pounds of carbon dioxide daily. Hilliard has appealed the air quality permit for the project, but AEP says carbon capture technology is not feasible. Construction is expected to start this fall and be completed by summer 2027.

  • AEP received approval from the Ohio EPA for the fuel cell project last fall.
  • Hilliard filed an appeal with the Environmental Review Appeals Commission to challenge the permit.
  • AEP plans to host an open house on the project on March 5, 2026 from 6-7:30 pm.
  • Construction on the fuel cells is expected to begin this fall and be completed by summer 2027.
  • The fuel cells are expected to be operational by fall 2027.

The players

City of Hilliard

The local government in Hilliard, Ohio that is challenging the permit for the fuel cell project at the Amazon data center.

American Electric Power (AEP)

The electric utility company planning to install and operate the natural gas-powered fuel cells at the Amazon data center site.

Amazon

The operator of the data center where AEP plans to install the fuel cells, and who is paying for the project costs.

Bloom Energy

The company providing the over 200 fuel cells that will be installed at the Amazon data center.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

The state agency that approved the air quality permit for the fuel cell project last fall.

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What they’re saying

“The City of Hilliard has limited legal grounds on which to appeal the permits being issued for the fuel cells. Despite these substantial legal challenges, the city has taken steps to address concerns related to the fuel cells, including appealing the issuance of the air quality permit for their operation and seeking independent expertise to evaluate carbon dioxide emissions associated with the fuel cells.”

— Andrea Litchfield, Hilliard spokesperson (dispatch.com)

“Carbon capture is not an option for this facility as both the utilization and sequestration of carbon capture require suitable geologic formations and infrastructure, including wells and pipelines, that are not yet permitted or under development in Ohio.”

— AEP spokesperson (dispatch.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Hilliard's appeal of the air quality permit for the fuel cell project in the coming months.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the challenges cities face in balancing economic development and environmental concerns, as well as the limitations of current carbon capture technology to mitigate emissions from distributed energy projects like this one.