West Virginia communities form coalition to oppose data center development

A new statewide coalition, the West Virginia Data Center Accountability Project, has formed to push back against what organizers describe as "unchecked" data center development across West Virginia. The group unites grassroots organizations from five counties, including Tucker, Mason, Putnham, Berkeley, and Mingo, and targets House Bill 2014, a state law that stripped counties of local zoning power and established a state-level certification process for data centers.

Organizers express concerns over the lack of transparency enabled by HB 2014, noting that companies can withhold project information under claims of confidential business data, making it exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests. They also highlighted environmental consequences, such as flooding associated with current data center constructions, indicating a lack of proper planning and consideration for local communities.

Specific projects mentioned include a massive proposed facility in Tucker County, where a legal fight over Fundamental Data's plan remains unresolved in courts, and a second high-impact data center for Mason County, bringing the statewide total to six major projects. Despite the ongoing opposition, coalition members emphasize their stance is not against growth but for development that is on "their own terms" and benefits local residents.

The coalition plans to rally at the state capital in Charleston next Monday to urge legislators to amend House Bill 2014 before the next session begins, aiming to restore local control over data center development. Reporter Robert Fornitero covered the story, noting that Fundamental Data had not yet responded to requests for comment on the coalition's concerns.