As pushback to data centers grows across the state, Mingo County residents say it’s an election issue

Residents of Wharncliffe in Mingo County, West Virginia, are vocalizing strong opposition to a proposed data center development, making it a significant issue in the upcoming election. The facility, planned for an old coal mine site, is projected to include 117 turbine engines and require tens of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel, raising environmental concerns. Local residents, including long-time resident Sue Cantrell and EMS worker Candaice Sowers, are particularly concerned about the project's impact on an already stressed local water supply, which frequently experiences outages and boil water advisories. Their pushback follows a legislative action by Governor Patrick Morrisey and state lawmakers, which removed local authority over data center projects, intensifying community frustration. This sentiment is not isolated to Mingo County, as four other communities across West Virginia are also experiencing similar challenges. Citizens in Tucker County have organized and initiated lawsuits against a proposed local data center, while residents in Berkeley County have questioned officials about a project announced by the governor. The growing statewide opposition indicates that data center development and local control have become contentious political topics.