West Virginia Law Restricting Local Data Center Control Faces Lawsuit

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has made building data centers a top priority, leading to the passage of H.B. 2014 by the Republican Legislature. This bill reportedly outlaws local jurisdictions from regulating, taxing, zoning, or otherwise interfering with data center construction and operations across the state. The article, an opinion piece, heavily criticizes this legislative move, labeling it a "massive Republican giveaway to Big Tech." It highlights concerns from local residents regarding the negative impacts of data centers, including constant noise, potential increases in residential electricity rates due to massive energy consumption, and the depletion of groundwater aquifers used for cooling. Critics dismiss the job creation claims as "right-wing propaganda," arguing that only a handful of custodial jobs would result post-construction. Opposition is forming, with Berkeley County Indivisible announcing plans to work with others to sue and strike down H.B. 2014. The article urges Republican voters to oppose legislators who supported the bill in upcoming primary elections, noting that no Democrats voted for the legislation. The author contends that the bill will bring "destruction, sky-high electric bills, constant, 24-hour dangerous noise, farms destroyed, valleys destroyed, poisoned water, empty aquifers, and the end of rural, countryside peace" to West Virginians.