Neighbors raise concerns over data center in Mason County
Residents in Mason County, West Virginia, voiced concerns at a county commission meeting about a data center being built north of Point Pleasant. County commissioners stated their authority is limited by state law, House Bill 2014, which exempts high-impact data centers from local ordinances. Residents questioned whether the Monarch project is correctly classified as a high-impact data center under this law.
Residents of Mason County, West Virginia, gathered at a special county commission meeting to express their concerns regarding a new data center, identified as the "Monarch project" or "Monarch Compute Campuses," being constructed just north of Point Pleasant. For over two hours, citizens pressed county commissioners for answers about the development and its potential impact on their community.
The Mason County Commission, however, informed residents that their authority to address many of these concerns is significantly limited by West Virginia House Bill 2014, a state law passed last year. This legislation stipulates that high-impact data centers are not subject to county or municipal ordinances or restrictions concerning aspects like noise and lighting. Residents questioned whether the Monarch project has indeed been properly registered as a high-impact data center site and if House Bill 2014's exemptions therefore apply to it. Commissioners assured the public they would confirm the project's registration status. High-impact data centers are certified by the Department of Commerce, and a local news outlet has reportedly sought clarification on the Monarch Compute Campuses' certification process but has yet to receive a response.
Despite the data center already being under construction, a local group named "Mason County United" is organizing in an effort to address their concerns, suggesting ongoing community opposition.