PIKETON, Ohio – Assistant Energy Secretary Tim Walsh visited the historic Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant on Wednesday to report on progress for the American Energy Hub, a $33 billion investment that stretches from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, through Paducah, Kentucky, to Portsmouth, Ohio.
Walsh said the project will repurpose existing plant infrastructure to power a new “super‑intelligent digital infrastructure campus” on site. The hub will generate gas‑powered electricity for southern Ohio and parts of West Virginia, a move intended to lower electricity costs for American families.
Construction and Job Creation
Site preparation and demolition are already underway, with full‑scale construction slated to begin early next year. The Department of Energy expects the effort to create more than 10,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent positions once the hub is operational.
“It’s going to be a growth engine, an economic engine, for this community and this five‑county region in southern Ohio,” said John Holbrook of the Tri‑State Building and Construction Trades Council. Holbrook added that the trades are ready to roll and that the project will provide a steady pipeline of skilled work.
Long‑Term Economic Impact
Walsh explained that once the data centers are built, they will employ roughly 1,000 people directly. Each direct job is expected to generate three to four additional jobs in the surrounding community, amplifying the economic benefits.
The entire hub is projected to take five years to complete, delivering a modern energy and digital infrastructure that aligns with the administration’s goal of expanding affordable power while supporting American manufacturing and technology.
Environmental Monitoring
To address environmental concerns, monitors have been installed throughout the plant to track ground, water, and air quality. Walsh emphasized that the project will adhere to strict standards to protect the local environment while revitalizing the site.
Local leaders and residents have expressed optimism that the hub will bring renewed prosperity to a region that has faced economic challenges for decades. The investment reflects a broader federal commitment to infrastructure that benefits families, creates good‑paying jobs, and strengthens the nation’s energy independence.
Original reporting: WCHS Eyewitness News Charleston (local) — read the source article.
