Tucker County Residents Oppose Data Center and Power Plant Complex at Legislative Update
A town hall meeting in Tucker County, West Virginia, saw strong public opposition to a proposed 10,000-acre data center and power plant complex near Davis and Thomas. Constituents expressed environmental and economic concerns to state senators Randy Smith and Jay Taylor, criticizing the project and the state's deregulation of the data center industry. Senator Smith also questioned the ethics of House Speaker Roger Hanshaw representing the developer, Fundamental Data.
Residents of Tucker County, West Virginia, voiced strong opposition to a planned 10,000-acre data center and power plant complex at a town hall meeting with state senators Randy Smith and Jay Taylor. The proposed development, spearheaded by Fundamental Data, includes a second natural gas power plant, a nuclear power plant, and a large solar field near the towns of Davis and Thomas.
Constituents, including a 75-year-old third-generation West Virginian and a 25-year-old, expressed concerns about potential environmental impacts, such as air and water pollution, and likened the development to the state's history with extractive industries. No one in the audience spoke in favor of the project. Senator Smith, who serves as president of the state Senate, acknowledged receiving calls from constituents supporting the development but also defended his efforts to amend HB 2014, a state law that deregulated the data center industry, to restore local control over such projects.
Senator Taylor highlighted the potential revenue from data center development, echoing Governor Patrick Morrisey's argument that such projects could help eliminate the state income tax and provide local benefits. However, both senators appeared unaware of Fundamental Data's expanded plans for the complex. Resident Robin McClintock proposed exploring state-level action to allow Tucker County residents a binding vote on the development, a proposal Senator Smith agreed to investigate. Davis Town Council member Carrie Hawkins questioned why Governor Morrisey has not visited Tucker County to discuss the controversy.
Senator Smith also openly questioned the ethics of House Speaker Roger Hanshaw's decision to act as a lawyer representing Fundamental Data, calling the action "legal, but not ethical." The article also references a previous story about Fundamental Data backtracking on smokestack height specifications and announces an upcoming panel discussion on the future of data centers in West Virginia, featuring state officials and local advocacy groups.