Wheeling Data Center Opponents Cite Progress in Fight Against Warwood Project
Data center opponents in Wheeling held a public meeting to discuss their campaign against Silicon Foundation’s planned Warwood data center and energy technology campus. Residents are seeking a moratorium, while the city is drafting regulations addressing data center permits, noise, water and electricity use; residents have also filed a civil suit seeking to stop the project.
Opponents of Silicon Foundation’s planned data center at the former Centre Foundry & Machine Company site in Wheeling’s Warwood neighborhood held a public assembly hosted by Upper OV United. Residents have urged Wheeling City Council to impose a data center moratorium and oppose the development, while petitions and other organizing efforts continue. Ward 1 Councilman Tony Assaro was the lone dissenting vote on a city memorandum of understanding with Silicon Foundation, which limits potential expansion and preserves some municipal regulatory authority.
Assaro said the city is developing a draft ordinance covering permitting, public notice, hearings, noise, water and electricity consumption, and penalties for violations. Attorney J. Anthony Edmond Jr. said he filed an injunction-related civil action on behalf of Warwood residents to stop the project, and plans to respond to Silicon Foundation’s motion to dismiss. Organizers said public pressure has helped produce more information about the project and contributed to a reduction from earlier plans that could have exceeded 90 megawatts, although opponents continue to seek stronger restrictions and accountability.