Scioto County leaders say they were just as surprised as residents to hear reports of a massive $36 billion natural gas power plant being proposed near Portsmouth—and they stress they currently have no official information about the project.
Commissioner Merit Smith told reporters he first learned about the announcement the same way many locals did: on Facebook.
“I didn’t hear the president say that. The first place I heard it was on Facebook,” Smith said. “So, I began to look to see if it was fake news.”
Smith said once the post was sent directly to him, he started making calls.
“The first person I went to was Scottie and said, ‘Did you know anything about this?’” Smith said, referring to fellow commissioner Scottie Powell. “He said, ‘I heard about it at the same time that you did.’”
According to Smith, neither commissioner had received advance notice, briefings, or formal communication from state or federal officials regarding a gas plant in Scioto County.
“We don’t know,” Smith said. “I put out feelers to come up with some information about it. I cannot find any solid information.”
Rumors Point to Pike County, Not Scioto
While early headlines referenced a facility “near Portsmouth,” Smith said most of what he’s been able to gather so far is based on speculation—not confirmed plans.
“There are people who say that it’s going to be out at the A-Plant site,” Smith said. “But that’s all an assumption.”
He was referring to the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, located in neighboring Pike County, which has been undergoing long-term cleanup and redevelopment efforts for years.
At this point, Smith emphasized, nothing has been formally presented to Scioto County.
“I know nothing about it other than what I’ve read and seen,” he said. “I’d love to know what’s going on myself.”
Commissioner Will Mault echoed that sentiment, saying he also first heard about the proposed gas plant through social media.
No Briefings, No Applications, No Paperwork
The county has not received:
- Any zoning requests
- Any tax abatement proposals
- Any permitting inquiries
- Any formal outreach from developers
In short, there is currently nothing on file with Scioto County tied to a $36 billion natural gas facility.
That stands in contrast to the ongoing data center discussions, where commissioners have been directly involved in reviewing tax abatements and community reinvestment agreements.
A Region Suddenly in the Spotlight
The surprise announcement comes amid a wave of energy and infrastructure headlines across southern Ohio, including:
- Proposed data centers in Scioto County
- Advanced nuclear reactor plans in Pike County
- New investment interest tied to former federal land
Together, those developments have put the region in an unfamiliar position—drawing national attention after decades of economic uncertainty.
But for now, local leaders say they’re still waiting for real answers.
“If this is something that’s truly coming to our area, we’d expect someone to sit down with us,” Smith said. “That hasn’t happened.”
As of now, commissioners say they will continue trying to track down details—but until official information surfaces, the proposed gas plant remains just that: an announcement without a local paper trail.
Residents hoping for clarity may have to wait a little longer.
