DEP Documents Forecast Significant Environmental Impacts From Mason County Data Center Projects
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection documents forecast significant environmental impacts from two planned data center projects in Mason County. Construction at the Monarch Compute Campus near Point Pleasant has already caused runoff, flooding, pollution and erosion-control failures, while upcoming DEP permit meetings are expected to intensify opposition.
Documents filed with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection forecast significant environmental impacts from two planned data center projects in Mason County. Construction at the Monarch Compute Campus near Point Pleasant has reportedly caused rain runoff to flood neighboring properties and has involved pollution and erosion-control failures.
The projects are being developed by Nscale and Starwood Digital Ventures, an investment platform of Starwood Capital Group. Gov. Patrick Morrisey has promoted data center growth and announced the projects as state-certified, but upcoming DEP meetings on permits for Nscale’s project are expected to draw opponents as resistance to data center development grows in West Virginia.