The data center development dilemma
News Clipwvmetronews.com·WV·4/7/2026
West Virginia officials and residents are debating the extent of local control over data center development following the passage of HB 2014, a state law that strips local governments of their authority to regulate such projects. Residents are concerned about environmental and quality of life impacts, feeling left out of the decision-making process for massive facilities planned in their communities, including Putnam, Berkeley, and Tucker Counties.
governmentoppositionzoningenvironmental
Gov: West Virginia legislature, Jefferson County Commissioner, Morgantown City Council, West Virginia State Board of Education
The development of data centers in West Virginia has become a significant point of contention regarding local control, or the lack thereof, for county and municipal governments. A panel discussion hosted by The Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications at Shepherd University highlighted concerns from residents near proposed data center sites about potential impacts on natural resources, local landscapes, and overall quality of life.
Jefferson County Commissioner Cara Keys expressed a nuanced view, stating that one can support data centers while opposing the lack of protective 'guardrails' in HB 2014. This 2025 legislation, intended to attract high-tech companies, allows for the construction of micro-grids and data centers while explicitly removing local governments' authority to impose zoning, horticultural, noise, viewshed, lighting, development, or land use regulations on certified high-impact data center projects. This move by state lawmakers aims to provide consistency for developers and make West Virginia an attractive location for technology expansion.
However, the policy has left communities directly impacted by these projects feeling helpless and excluded from the process. Despite this, major data center projects have already been announced in Putnam and Berkeley Counties, with a third reportedly in development in Tucker County, and more on the horizon. The article emphasizes that state and local lawmakers still have an opportunity to collaborate, address community concerns, and ensure that economic growth does not come at the cost of public trust.