Residents voice concerns over Warwood data center project
Residents in Warwood, Wheeling, West Virginia, are voicing significant concerns about a proposed 10-megawatt data center project at the former Centre Foundry site. Key issues include potential utility rate increases, noise pollution, and water usage. Wheeling Council is currently limited in its ability to impede the project as it does not require a zoning change, but an MOU is being drafted to outline parameters for the developer.
Residents in Warwood, a neighborhood in Wheeling, West Virginia, have expressed strong concerns regarding a proposed 10-megawatt data center project slated for the former Centre Foundry site. The primary worries among citizens revolve around potential utility rate increases and noise pollution stemming from the data center's operations.
Wheeling Councilmen Ty Thorngate and Jerry Sklavounakis noted that since the project's data center component is 10 megawatts, it does not fall under West Virginia's HB 2014 (Power Generation and Consumption Act of 2025). This means Silicon Foundation, the site owner, will be required to adhere to local ordinances concerning noise and pollution. Sklavounakis further explained that because the project does not necessitate a zoning change requiring a vote, the Council's capacity to directly block the project is limited.
Councilman Thorngate indicated that the Council is awaiting more detailed project information. An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is currently being drafted to establish specific parameters the company must follow. The Council is also seeking assurances from AEP regarding the existing infrastructure's ability to support the project and is investigating potential water usage and noise levels associated with the data center. Despite the meeting being contentious at times, Thorngate characterized it as a constructive gathering where concerned citizens could voice their issues.