CLOVER VALLEY PIPELINE

By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Gas Operations

Licking County is undergoing a transformation as private investment and public infrastructure work together to support the region's booming data center and industrial economy. The proposed Clover Valley natural gas pipeline, set to serve both a hyperscale data center and local members of The Energy Cooperative, is a way to help foster some of this growth. This infrastructure project, including a gas-fired power plant, promises economic benefits, energy reliability and community strength.

A Pipeline To Power Tech

The 12-inch diameter Clover Valley pipeline is designed to stretch approximately 4.9 miles through western Licking County. Its endpoint lies at the southern end of Clover Valley Road—strategically close to the data center’s location. The pipeline is designed to connect regional gas supplies directly to power generation facilities at the data center, ensuring uninterrupted energy to support its operations.

The project was approved under the Ohio Power Siting Board’s expedited approval process. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer with an operational timeline at the end of the first quarter of 2026, a schedule coordinated with the data center’s broader utility and energy needs.

This on-site plant is designed to operate behind the meter, meaning it supplies electricity directly to the data center. As such, the pipeline will provide a steady flow of natural gas, enabling efficient power generation even in peak-demand scenarios.

Benefits To Our Members

The Clover Valley project provides both direct and indirect benefits to our members.

• Job creation and economic activity: Pipeline and plant construction will generate jobs in construction, trades and engineering, supporting local employment and contractor opportunities.

• Enhanced supply stability: By strengthening natural gas delivery capacity, the project minimizes the chance of service interruptions for cooperative members during periods of high demand.

• Cost-sharing efficiencies: Upgraded pipeline systems reduce maintenance and delivery costs in the long run, with financial benefits passing to cooperative members by stabilizing rates.

Central Ohio In Rapid Transition

Licking County has emerged as a prime location for Ohio’s data center network. Already hosting multiple facilities in central Ohio, the local energy infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with demand. By constructing both a dedicated pipeline and on-site gas-fired generation, the Clover Valley project creates a model of self-sufficiency that eases strain on the wider electrical grid system.

While the nature of the project may raise community concerns, it was carefully designed for responsible construction and operation. Provisions guiding Power Siting aim to balance growth with community values and impacts. As construction moves forward, the Clover Valley project is poised to unlock powerful synergies: bringing modern infrastructure and energy reliability to data centers while improving reliability, spurring economic activity and providing rate stability for cooperative members.