Data center opposition group brings national bus tour to Berkeley County
A national opposition group, Data Center Revolt and Humans First, brought a bus tour to Berkeley County, West Virginia, to raise concerns about data center development. Delegate Chris Anders spoke out against a lack of community protections, advocating for changes to state law regarding local input, buffers, groundwater use, and infrastructure costs. The visit was prompted by a proposed 548-acre Bedington data center campus in the county.
A national bus tour organized by Data Center Revolt and Humans First stopped in Berkeley County, West Virginia, to voice opposition to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers. The tour, which launched in Austin, Texas, is traveling across the country to connect with communities impacted by proposed data center projects.
Delegate Chris Anders, representing West Virginia’s 97th House District, joined the event, advocating for greater protections for communities affected by data center development. Anders, who voted against House Bill 2014 in 2025 which limited local regulatory controls, emphasized the need to restore local input, establish buffers between data centers and residential areas, protect private property from eminent domain, limit groundwater use for cooling, and safeguard ratepayers from infrastructure costs. He noted the state's proximity to Northern Virginia, a major data center hub, as a reason for increased interest in West Virginia.
Amy Kremer, chairwoman of Humans First, urged conservatives to join the movement, emphasizing the importance of community voice in development decisions. The group's visit was partly in response to a proposed 548-acre Bedington data center campus in Berkeley County, projected to feature nearly 2 million square feet and up to 600 megawatts of IT capacity. Organizers reported that concerns over local control and property rights are common themes heard throughout their tour.