WV leaders ignore high public health costs from large-scale data center development
West Virginia leaders, including Gov. Patrick Morrisey, are promoting large-scale data center development despite public opposition and concerns over environmental and public health costs. Morrisey announced state approvals for two new high-impact data center projects in Mason County, bypassing local zoning control through previously enacted legislation.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey and U.S. Senator Jim Justice, R-W.Va., along with other state leaders, publicly advocated for large-scale data center growth during the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's 90th Annual Meeting & Business Summit. This promotion occurred despite documented public opposition and concerns regarding the significant environmental and public health costs associated with these power-hungry and water-guzzling facilities.
The leaders, including Governor Morrisey, championed data centers as a cornerstone of the state's economic development strategy, touting anticipated tax revenue and technological advancements. However, they largely disregarded findings from organizations like the Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health, which highlight the substantial health damages caused by fossil fuel combustion—a demand exacerbated by data center expansion. These facilities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, worsening air quality and increasing health costs.
During the summit, Governor Morrisey announced state approvals for two new "high-impact" data center projects in Mason County. These approvals come approximately 18 months after he signed House Bill 2014 into law, legislation that has sparked considerable controversy by stripping local zoning and regulatory control over data center projects and protecting developers from public information disclosure requirements. Critics argue that state leaders are ignoring the detrimental health impacts data centers are projected to inflict on West Virginia communities.