Proposed West Virginia data center raises environmental and health concerns

To build the proposed data center, Google has purchased 1,700 acres in Putnam County north of Buffalo to build a proposed data center. Area residents worry a peaceful area of the county would disappear and become polluted if the project moves forward. "It's sound pollution problem. It's a water pollution problem," Putnam resident Christopher Potts said. "It changes temperature of the water. It releases some chemicals into the water, metals to be specific. There are some obvious fears. It will continue to evolve. It will continue to get more powerful and will continue to cause increase demands in the form of data and storage." Another area resident Janie Miles shared serious health concerns. "I don't trust the water. I buy water to drink," she said. "I've had so many pets over the years that have died from cancer, all of them. I have cancer. Many of my neighbors have cancer." Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Google will cover 100% of the electricity used to power the facility and the company plans to replenish more water than it consumes by 2030. Putnam County Commission President Andy Skidmore said the county will have little say as the state will handle the permitting process. The county would receive tax dollars from the development. "We've heard the rumors as a lot of our constituents have," Skidmore said. Necessary permits could take about a year to secure before construction could begin on the data center. FULL STORY: https://wchstv.com/news/local/a-proposed-data-center-in-putnam-county-has-some-worried-about-the-project _________________________________________ Follow WCHS on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wchs8fox11​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wchs8fox11/ For the latest local and national news, visit our website: https://wchstv.com/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://wchstv.com/sign-up