Data center construction continues despite local pushback
West Virginia residents and local officials are pushing back against data center projects while state law limits local authority over high-impact developments. Putnam County officials adopted a resolution seeking utility, water, noise and light protections after Google announced a Buffalo data center, while residents oppose a gas pipeline intended to serve Nscale’s Monarch campus in neighboring Mason County.
Residents and local governments across West Virginia are seeking greater oversight of data center development, despite House Bill 2014 transferring authority over high-impact facilities to the state Department of Commerce. The Putnam County Commission adopted a resolution requiring developers to address utility costs, water protection, and light and noise impacts after Google announced plans for a data center in Buffalo. Grassroots group Putnam United helped present the resolution, but local officials acknowledge it is largely unenforceable under current state law.
The article also details opposition from Putnam County residents Jordan Charbonneau and Scott Lanham to a proposed natural gas pipeline crossing their property to supply Nscale’s Monarch Compute Campus in Mason County. Elsewhere, Davis officials opposed a planned data center, Berkeley County officials questioned stormwater and other impacts, and Charleston and Wheeling officials considered ordinances regulating smaller or industrial-district data centers. State officials, including Gov. Patrick Morrisey, have promoted local collaboration while projects continue moving forward.