Unanswered questions linger over Bedington data center project

SPRING MILLS – Over 500 Berkeley County residents packed Spring Mills High School to voice strong opposition to a proposed 600-megawatt data center campus in the Bedington area. The town hall, hosted by Berkeley County Commissioners Eddie Gochenour and John Hardy, quickly became a forum for frustration as residents demanded answers about the project's impact. The $4 billion data center, announced by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, is planned for 548 acres off Bedington Road and would be developed by Penzance Management. It is designated as the first "high-impact" data center under House Bill 2014, a state law passed last year that allows such projects to bypass local zoning regulations. Commissioners Gochenour and Hardy, who stated they had little prior notice of the project and had advocated against the bill in Charleston, explained that the law removed local control, shifting decisions to the state. Residents raised numerous concerns, including the project's significant water and electrical demands, potential impacts on local wells, traffic, noise, and air quality, as well as the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements. Many criticized the legislative process behind House Bill 2014, alleging constitutional violations and urging county officials to challenge the law in court. Speakers also expressed frustration that Governor Morrisey had not appeared locally to address their concerns. Despite the volume of questions, commissioners did not provide direct answers during the meeting, noting many details were still unknown. Gochenour expressed hope that Penzance Management would be a "good neighbor" and reiterated that the county would work with state agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection on environmental concerns. He also suggested that state officials and legislators should hold their own town halls to explain the controversial law to the public.