Data Centers in our Backyard – Jobs, Infrastructure, and Community Impact

MetroNews Television, in partnership with the Stubblefield Institute, hosted a community conversation at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, focusing on the future of data centers in the state. The forum brought together diverse perspectives, including Jefferson County Commissioner Cara Keys, Tucker United Executive Director Amy Margolies, West Virginia Department of Economic Development Data Economy Office Director Chris Morris, and QTS Executive Vice President of Utility Innovation Dato Slezak. The central theme revolved around the controversial House Bill 2014, which has significantly curtailed local government control over data center placement and development. Commissioner Keys criticized HB 2014 for removing local transparency and oversight, citing her county's prior comprehensive plan for industrial-zoned data centers that included community input. She highlighted successful local efforts by Senator Jason Barrett and Delegates Anders and Funkhouser to secure some tax revenue for counties, but stressed the continued need for local control and adequate buffers, as exemplified by Loudoun County, Virginia's experience. Keys emphasized that while she is not inherently opposed to data centers, the bill's "one-size-fits-all" approach and lack of codified local powers were detrimental to effective community representation. Amy Margolies voiced strong concerns about a proposed 1600-megawatt gas plant with 30 million gallons of diesel storage in Tucker County, which would power a hyperscale data center complex. She described the project as having private gain and public costs, impacting a fragile watershed, local elementary school, and the nature-based tourism economy. Margolies advocated for transparency, a "right process, right place, and right profit share," and legally binding commitments on water use and other impacts, noting that many West Virginians still lack reliable broadband and should not be "last in line" to benefit from new infrastructure. She also mentioned "Fundamental Data" as the company behind the Tucker County project, which has not engaged with the community. Chris Morris, whose office was created by HB 2014, acknowledged the need for responsible development and public discussion. He explained his initial skepticism but came to view data centers as vital infrastructure, particularly given West Virginia's power generation capacity. Morris noted his office had not yet received an application for the Tucker County project but was committed to attracting companies that invest responsibly and abide by rules. Dato Slezak of QTS underscored his company's commitment to listening to communities and sharing facts, contrasting with "fake information" often circulating. He detailed QTS's focus on "power, land, and people" for hyperscale data center site selection and explained that modern QTS facilities use closed-loop cooling systems, significantly reducing water consumption compared to older evaporative methods. The panelists further discussed the practicalities of data center development, with Slezak explaining that projects are often multi-building campuses with construction timelines of 18-24 months, but power availability is the "king." Morris confirmed that for the short term, power access remains the main determinant for projects in areas like Jefferson County, with utility approvals potentially taking years. The discussion concluded by outlining five key themes for the evening: understanding data centers, community concerns, guiding the state's data office, economic impacts, and power consumption.