Del. Hansen continues call for more transparency related to data center development in Mountain State

West Virginia Delegate Evan Hansen and other senior leaders of the state's Democratic Party are advocating for significant changes to House Bill 2014 to ensure greater transparency and local control over data center developments. Speaking on MetroNews Talkline, Delegate Hansen, who represents Monongalia County, emphasized the need for developers to share more information with local communities, following a town hall meeting in Canaan Valley Resort State Park (Tucker County) that highlighted resident and state Democrat concerns.

The primary issues raised include the environmental impact of proposed data centers, particularly their substantial electricity and water consumption, which could lead to increased electricity rates, grid stability concerns, water resource depletion, and air pollution. These concerns are rooted in ongoing developments in Tucker and Berkeley counties, prompting local leaders to seek state-level avenues for more community input and the ability to enforce local laws and ordinances.

Hansen clarified that while he is not fundamentally against all data center development in West Virginia, he opposes "high-impact" centers that do not respect local governance. He believes that specific areas of the state could welcome data centers if decisions are left to the discretion of community members. The broader focus among Mountain State Democrats regarding H.B. 2014 is on enhancing local control and transparency around environmental aspects, rather than outright blocking growth. Hansen stated that proper implementation requires engagement with concerned citizens, beyond just state departments and local legislators.