W.Va. lawmaker likens AI data centers’ footprint to steel mills, says impacts are less
West Virginia Delegate Mark Zatezalo said artificial intelligence data centers could create energy opportunities in the Ohio Valley. He argued that their environmental impacts would be less severe than those of past heavy industries and encouraged consideration of gas-fired and nuclear energy development.
West Virginia Delegate Mark Zatezalo said the Ohio Valley should consider data centers as part of broader energy-development opportunities. He argued that the region produces substantial natural gas but lacks sufficient gas-fired electricity generation to fully use it, and said data centers could support economic growth.
Zatezalo acknowledged environmental concerns associated with artificial intelligence data centers but compared their effects favorably with the former Weirton Steel operation. He also urged state and local leaders to examine nuclear energy and spent-fuel reprocessing as related industries.