Fundamental Data Distances Itself From Engineer’s Comments About Legislation
Fundamental Data has distanced itself from an engineer's claims that the company wrote West Virginia's data center deregulation bill, as it pursues a data center and power plant complex in Tucker County. Community members expressed significant opposition at a county commission meeting, while the Davis Town Council is considering an industrial noise ordinance potentially impacting the project. County Commissioners stated they have no control over the project due to state law.
Fundamental Data, a company planning a power plant and data center complex in Tucker County, West Virginia, has disavowed comments made by one of its engineers, Ted McGavran, who claimed the company "basically wrote the bill" that deregulated the state's data center industry. A company spokesperson, Andrea Khoury, stated that McGavran was not authorized to speak on behalf of Fundamental Data and that the company played no role in drafting HB 2014, aligning with statements from the offices of Governor Patrick Morrisey and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw.
Simultaneously, local opposition to the proposed data center complex continues to mount. At a recent Tucker County Commission meeting, opponents, led by Natalie Boyland, presented comments from long-time county residents, countering claims that opposition primarily comes from newer residents. Approximately two-thirds of the 75 attendees appeared to oppose the project, while a property owner, Jeremy Hile, spoke in favor, citing the county's need for industry and tax revenue.
Tucker County Commissioners Mike Rosenau and Fred Davis stated they would not take a position on the data center, noting that the project is on private land and falls outside their control. Later in the meeting, the Commission unanimously opposed the proposed Valley North transmission line project, which sparked applause from the audience.
In the nearby town of Davis, Mayor Al Tomson of the Davis Town Council announced plans to amend the town's noise ordinance to include industrial sources, setting 24-hour decibel limits. Although Tomson, who opposes the data center, acknowledged that state law currently voids local control over state-certified data center projects, he believes the ordinance would be prudent if state lawmakers restore local authority. The council is scheduled to review the proposed amendment at a future meeting.