Proposed Tucker County Data Center Developer Provides Proof Of Property Ownership

Fundamental Data LLC has provided the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of Air Quality with a purchase and sale agreement, confirming its 2024 acquisition of approximately 290 acres in Tucker County. The document was requested by the DEP in late July after concerns were raised by the public about Fundamental Data's ownership and control of the proposed data center site, which is intended to be powered by a natural gas-fired microgrid.

Citizen groups have previously appealed to courts and the Air Quality Board, seeking more details about the microgrid's capacity, citing that crucial information like emissions data and design specifics were redacted from the company's permit application. The DEP's request for ownership proof stemmed from discrepancies found in Tucker County records, which still listed Western Pocahontas Properties as the owner, and Fundamental's own classification of the project as "conceptual" to the West Virginia Office of Energy in June.

The 18-page purchase and sale agreement identifies Western Pocahontas Properties Limited Partnership as the seller and Fundamental Data LLC as the purchaser. However, like the initial air quality permit, the agreement is heavily redacted, with Fundamental Data citing the need to protect financial and commercial terms. Casey Chapman of Fundamental Data LLC stated that the redactions do not hide information related to environmental obligations or emissions limits, asserting that the public has a right to know environmental standards but not private commercial terms.