Locals speak out against $4 billion data center in Berkeley County

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a new $4 billion data center to be constructed in Bedington, Berkeley County. The project, planned for a 500+ acre campus, is estimated to create over 100 jobs. Berkeley County Commission President Eddie Gochenhour, who attended the announcement in Charleston, expressed confidence in the developer, Penzance, despite "unanswered questions." Following the announcement, a town hall meeting hosted by Commissioners Eddie Gochenhour and John Hardy drew over 300 concerned citizens to Spring Mills High School Auditorium. Residents from Berkeley County and the wider Eastern Panhandle, including parts of Virginia and Maryland, voiced frustration and concerns, with some even discussing the possibility of secession from West Virginia. A major point of contention is HB 2014, known as the "Power Generation and Consumption Act of 2025," which was passed last year. Commissioners Gochenour and Hardy expressed their disagreement with the bill, explaining that it removed local oversight and enforcement of regulations, including zoning ordinances, for data centers that establish certified microgrid programs. This legislation centralizes control at the state level, limiting the ability of local governments to regulate these projects and establishing specialized tax structures in designated districts. Citizens raised numerous questions, particularly regarding the data center's potential impact on water resources, given a prolonged drought in the Eastern Panhandle. Other environmental concerns included light and noise pollution. Commission members stated they would log these questions and refer them to Penzance Management, the Governor's office, and state agencies, as they could not provide direct answers at the meeting. Some residents, including political candidates, advocated for stronger local control and even suggested a referendum for Eastern Panhandle counties to secede from West Virginia.