West Virginia groups and local governments demand data center oversight. The state is continuing to develop them anyway
West Virginia residents and local governments are seeking more oversight of data center development despite a state law that limits local authority. Putnam County officials adopted nonbinding requirements after Google announced a data center in Buffalo, while residents oppose a gas pipeline intended to power Nscale's Monarch campus in neighboring Mason County.
Local governments and grassroots groups across West Virginia are pushing for greater oversight of data centers as state-backed projects move forward under House Bill 2014, which places authority over high-impact facilities with the state Department of Commerce. The Putnam County Commission adopted a resolution calling for developers to cover utility costs, protect water resources and mitigate noise and light after Google announced plans for a data center in Buffalo. Residents say the resolution is largely unenforceable because state law removed most local control.
Jordan Charbonneau and Scott Lanham, who live on an off-grid farm in Putnam County, are opposing a proposed natural gas pipeline across their property to supply Nscale's Monarch data center campus in Mason County. Other communities are pursuing different measures, including a proposed Charleston ordinance covering smaller data centers and a drafted Wheeling ordinance regulating facilities in industrial districts. Officials and activists also continue to raise concerns about flooding, stormwater, water consumption, energy demand and the broader effects of the state law.