Putnam County Commission to take up data center resolution
Community members in Putnam County, West Virginia, are opposing Google's planned data center in Buffalo. A local group, Putnam United, has drafted a resolution urging the Putnam County Commission to support community control over hyperscale data center decisions. The Commission is expected to discuss this resolution, although state law (House Bill 2014) currently limits their authority in data center approvals.
Residents of Buffalo, Putnam County, West Virginia, have expressed continued opposition to Google's proposed hyperscale data center since plans were revealed in March. A local advocacy group, Putnam United, formed in response to the development, has been vocal at county commission meetings, urging officials to consider their concerns.
Heather Ransom, a member of Putnam United, stated that the group has prepared a resolution asking the Putnam County Commission to support the idea that decisions regarding hyperscale data centers should be made at the community level, based on factors beyond just financial impacts.
Putnam County Commissioner Andy Skidmore indicated that the commission plans to discuss a version of this resolution at their upcoming meeting on September 29th. However, he noted that state legislation, House Bill 2014, restricts county commissions from having a direct say in the approval process for data center projects. Despite this limitation, Putnam United members expressed hope for continued dialogue and a formalization of their concerns on the commission's agenda.