'The same story': Morrisey data center plan doubles down on industry regulation gaps
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced "responsible data center principles" aiming to jump-start in-state data center growth. However, the plan from his Department of Commerce has been criticized for not introducing new environmental or ratepayer protections, effectively reinforcing existing regulatory gaps and a controversial 2025 law designed to fast-track development.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey recently convened state lawmakers and administration officials at the Capitol to unveil what he termed "responsible data center principles." Submitted as a 10-page plan by the Department of Commerce, these principles are intended to accelerate data center development within the state.
Critics argue, however, that the plan offers no substantive new environmental or ratepayer protections for West Virginians, essentially mirroring a controversial 2025 state law that sought to fast-track such developments. Morrisey asserted that West Virginia is applying "lessons learned from others’ failures," suggesting the state remains a "clean slate" regarding data center issues observed elsewhere. Despite the Governor's optimistic framing of the announcement as a "defining moment," the article underscores a perceived continuity with previous policies that have been criticized for regulatory shortcomings in the burgeoning data center industry.