West Virginia data center liaison addresses concerns
Residents in Mason County, West Virginia, are expressing concerns about a 2000-acre data center project, citing issues like noise, shaking, and a lack of community input. The West Virginia state data center liaison, Chris Morris, acknowledged these legitimate concerns, particularly regarding water and noise pollution, and the rapid pace of development.
Residents living near a 2000-acre data center construction site in Mason County, West Virginia, have been vocal about the disruptions to their daily lives. They report constant shaking, rattling, and beeping, and feel that neither the company nor the state has adequately communicated with them.
The West Virginia Citizen Action Group echoed these sentiments, noting a common thread among residents that the development is being rushed and executed without sufficient community input. Chris Morris, the state's data center liaison, addressed these concerns at an event in Charleston, acknowledging that many complaints regarding water and noise pollution are legitimate. Morris attributed some of these issues to past industry construction practices that didn't consider such impacts and noted the challenge of developing rapidly, likening it to "flying the plane and building it at the same time."