Paula Kaufman: Data centers are not WV's comeback story (Opinion)

In an opinion piece for the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Paula Kaufman criticized West Virginia's "data center growth strategy," labeling it a "giveaway" that will negatively impact the state rather than contributing to its comeback. Kaufman directly challenged Governor Patrick Morrisey's characterization of data centers as a "comeback story," arguing they represent a "go-back story" for the state. The article highlights legislative efforts to facilitate data center development, specifically mentioning House Bill 4983, a companion to a 2025 bill. This proposed legislation, expected to be signed into law by Governor Morrisey, would enable data centers to circumvent local laws and community input. Furthermore, HB 4983 aims to increase secrecy by classifying proposals for high-impact data centers as confidential within the West Virginia Department of Commerce, ostensibly for trade secret protection. Kaufman, however, views this confidentiality as "political theater" and argues that data centers cause pollution, devalue property, and generate "ferocious noise" without adequate accountability. She emphasizes that counties such as Logan, Tucker, Mingo, Mason, and Berkeley deserve a voice in their land use planning and credits local newspapers and community activism for speaking out against these developments.