West Virginia PSC schedules public meeting on data center legislation
The Public Service Commission of West Virginia will hold a public hearing on House Bill 2014, a controversial "Certified Microgrid Program" bill. Local residents are concerned the legislation strips away local control over data center development, exempts projects from various ordinances, and could lead to increased utility bills and significant water usage. Citizens are urged to attend the upcoming Charleston hearing to voice their opposition.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia has scheduled a public hearing for later this month regarding House Bill 2014, known as the "Certified Microgrid Program." This legislation, passed during the 2025 session, has sparked significant debate, particularly concerning its implications for data center construction across the state.
Local residents are alarmed by HB 2014, which they argue overrides existing regulations designed to prevent corporate overreach in the establishment of microgrids and data centers. The bill reportedly alters local authority over such projects, exempting developments after July 11, 2025, from local land use, noise, and light pollution ordinances. It also amends state code that previously allowed individual counties and municipalities to enforce restrictions and commercial codes on data centers, effectively removing local jurisdiction.
Concerns expressed in submitted comments and by residents like Frank Muth of Inwood highlight the lack of local input prior to the bill's passage and alleged non-disclosure agreements required of elected officials. Muth pointed to specific projects, questioning the location of the Bedington Data Center in a flood-prone area and the potential noise impact of the Jefferson/Berkeley Data Center (aka "project Carmel") on a nearby hospice facility. Ratepayers are also worried about increased electric bills, while environmental advocates cite the massive water usage required by data centers for cooling.
Despite these concerns, HB 2014 positions West Virginia as an attractive target for data center development, citing its proximity to Washington D.C., low tax rates, abundant energy, and a less restrictive regulatory environment. The bill explicitly states that "national security goals" take precedence over environmental concerns. West Virginians are urged to attend the public hearing at the PSC’s Charleston offices on September 28th to advocate for the repeal or revision of the bill.