Point Pleasant data center to have 3 buildings, almost 1,000 generators

Nscale, an international data center developer, is proposing the Monarch Compute Campus data center north of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The project involves three H-shaped buildings and a significant power infrastructure, including 864 natural gas-fired reciprocating internal combustion engines for the first phase, generating 2.5 megawatts each, and an additional 120 engines for other uses. Site preparation began in April, with an expected operation start in January 2027. Monarch Cloud Campus LLC, owned by Nscale, submitted its construction permit application to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on April 20. The DEP is currently reviewing the application for completeness, a process that could take up to 90 days before a draft permit might be issued, followed by a 30-day public comment period. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also involved in the permitting. The project has sparked considerable opposition from nearby residents, who report issues like dust from ongoing site preparation. Environmental groups, such as the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, have expressed "grave concerns" regarding the data center's potential as a major source of air pollutants and its impact on public health. Morgan King, climate and energy program manager for the group, noted that the facility's reliance on natural gas generators could also undermine corporate climate goals of its backers, including Microsoft. Opponents indicate that the project is "certainly not a done deal" and community pushback could lead to changes.