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 pushing for more oversight of data center development, despite a state law that limits local authority. Putnam County adopted voluntary accountability rules after Google announced a data center in Buffalo, while residents oppose a gas pipeline through Putnam County intended to power Nscale’s Monarch campus in Mason County.
Grassroots groups in Tucker, Mason and Putnam counties are opposing data center development and seeking a larger role for local governments. The Putnam County Commission signed a resolution calling for developers to pay utility costs, protect water resources and mitigate light and noise after Google announced plans for a data center in Buffalo. Residents near the proposed Google site are also urging officials to study flooding risks.
Jordan Charbonneau and Scott Lanham oppose a proposed natural gas pipeline across their Putnam County property to supply Nscale’s Monarch Compute Campus in neighboring Mason County. The project has been linked to flooding controversies, while state law enacted through House Bill 2014 gives West Virginia’s Department of Commerce control over high-impact data centers and largely removes local authority. Charleston and Wheeling officials are pursuing ordinances for smaller facilities, including requirements addressing setbacks, water use, grid impacts, emergency response and decommissioning.