Data centers in West Virginia

Gaunch argues that large electricity and water users could help distribute the fixed costs of providing those services across a broader customer base.

Gaunch said attracting established companies with strong finances and a track record of completing projects should be a priority, citing Google and Meta as examples of operators the state should seek.

Former West Virginia Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch says data centers could generate significant tax revenue and jobs if developers are carefully vetted and facilities are properly located.

Gaunch praised a planned data center in Putnam County but cautioned against placing one in Tucker County, which he described as a major destination for the state's tourism industry.

Gaunch acknowledges concerns about noise, lighting and community impacts but urges residents to base their opposition to data centers on facts rather than emotions.

Andy Skidmore, commission president, stated the resolution expects developers to go through permitting process as if House Bill 2014 regulating data centers does not exist.

Andy Skidmore, Putnam County Commission president, said the resolution was put together collaboratively among the three commissioners and county manager Tim Hanna

Andy Skidmore said that any developer of a hyperscale data center in Putnam County should follow the rules and regulations of the county ordinances as if House Bill 2014 did not exist

Google has already announced its first round of investments in the Buffalo community and is abiding by Putnam County rules and regulations by going through the planning commission office

Proposed moratorium would impose fine of up to $1 million per day for developers breaking the pause

Ace Parsi proposes Neighbors, Not Servers Act establishing two year moratorium on data centres using 20 megawatts or more

Rep. Riley Moore cosponsored Ratepayer Protection Act requiring state utility commissions ensure data centres pay full incremental costs for upgrades

Po Shen Loh is founder of Live and a Carnegie Mellon University professor

Allen advocates for repealing HB 2011 and codifying requirements that data centers report on environmental impact, local hiring, and water and electricity use

A September 2026 poll by Associated General Contractors of America and National Center for Construction Education and Research found more than four in ten contractors said labor shortages had delayed a project, and over half of those who worked a data center job said it increased competition for workers

Kelly Allen argues West Virginia should eliminate all tax breaks for data centers to ensure the state sees real benefit and retain local community control

Estep said a data center at the I-79 High Technology Park would help NOAA store and convert climate data into AI ready formats, and would attract technology companies to North Central West Virginia due to low latency requirements.

Senator Jim Justice announced at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Business Summit that we have nothing to worry about when it comes to data centers.

Estep said data centers should run on dedicated microgrids and use light and noise mitigation measures to prevent impacts on residents.

Estep said the I-79 High Technology Park built a 25,000 gallon recycled water tank and will continue to recycle water for future data centers to avoid increasing residents' water bills.

Del. Mark Zatezalo noted that a data center in McDowell County could bring in substantial revenue but water supply in the area may not support it.

Preservati stated that water issues in West Virginia are primarily a quality issue, not a quantity issue, and that data centers can be utilized to improve quality.

Maria Russo, policy specialist at West Virginia Rivers Coalition, said data center projects can create significant challenges and risks for water quality, water quantity and flooding, citing issues in Mason County.

Representative Mark Zatezalo asked about water impacts of a proposed power plant and data center in Mingo County, raising concerns about water supply availability.

Preservati said data centers in West Virginia will use a closed loop system that will not use a tremendous amount of water, and could generate tens of millions of dollars every year in tax revenue for counties to upgrade water infrastructure.

Nicholas Preservati, director of West Virginia's Office of Energy, told lawmakers at the Joint Committee on Energy and Public Works that data centers can improve water quality and generate revenue for water infrastructure in southern coalfields.

Morrisey has a data center plan that includes local involvement

Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia Governor, has argued data centers are an opportunity to help the U.S. win an AI race against China

Rick Handley, Mason County Commission President, says county officials have no control over when and where data centers come

Department of Commerce will engage directly with local leadership to align private sector investments with municipal needs

Gov. Patrick Morrisey unveiled a 20 year plan for data center development in West Virginia with collaboration and local community involvement as pillars

Anthropic discovered five cases in recent months in which scientists in unspecified foreign nations used Anthropic models to study dangerous pathogens

Environmental Protection Network report found unprecedented electricity demand for AI data centers carries risks to Americans' health

Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon stated AI could kill all humans by end of decade

Sen. Jim Justice stated data center developers need to take care of the environment, water, electricity bills and noise

Gov. Patrick Morrisey highlights economic development with hyperscale data centers

West Virginia Data Center Accountability Project formed to oppose unchecked expansion of data centers

West Virginia elected officials wondering why tax and regulatory advantaged push for economic development through data centers has hit severe roadblocks in certain locations

Residents frustrated over lack of communication from Wheeling city officials on data center project

Loretta Young stated that local chapters in West Virginia and across the nation are worried about how data center projects could affect the cost of utilities for families, noting water and sewer bills in West Virginia are already among the highest in the country and electricity bills have been increasing due to higher demands on the power grid.

Rep. Ro Khanna proposed a Data Center Bill of Rights that would ban construction within 2,500 feet of a home

Hyperscale data centers drive substantial demand for fossil fuel fired power and resulting greenhouse gas emissions that worsen air quality and raise health costs

One project is to be developed by Nscale, a United Kingdom headquartered artificial intelligence infrastructure firm.

Olivia Miller stated concerns that permit was redacted preventing public meaningful opportunity to review or critique it.

West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack issued a report showing data centers will be taxed at much lower rates than their actual value.

Environmental groups argue state Department of Environmental Protection wrongly classified the massive facility as a minor pollution source.

One project is to be developed by Starwood Digital Ventures, a data center investment platform of Starwood Capital Group.

Governor Morrisey announced plans to triple West Virginia's electric production by mid century to support AI data centers

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced plan to dedicate 50% of revenue from approved hyperscale data center projects to reducing and eliminating state personal income tax

West Virginia plan directs 30% of data center revenue to counties for schools and local government, 10% to all 55 counties, and 10% to infrastructure upgrades

West Virginia House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle said law should be amended to allow some local control over data center development

Morgan King of West Virginia Citizen Action Group expressed grave concerns about air pollutants from the natural gas plant and generators

Before the law passed, more than 50 West Virginia counties had no way to approve, reject, or place conditions on large data center projects

"Google's decision to come to West Virginia is a strong signal that our state is competing and winning for the jobs and industries of the future. This is exactly the kind of opportunity we are working to bring here, one that creates jobs, strengthens infrastructure, and positions West Virginia for long-term growth."

"We're excited to share that Google has purchased land in Putnam County, West Virginia, for a new data center campus. We are early in the process, and substantial work remains, but we are appreciative of the strong business environment created by the state to support projects of this scale."