'We don't want West Virginia to fall behind:' Locals react to data center expansion

Residents across West Virginia, including Danny and Thelma Davis of Jane Lew and Charles Calvert of Harrison County, are weighing the pros and cons of data center expansion in the state. While acknowledging the potential for job creation, many express significant concerns about the environmental and economic impact of these facilities. Key worries include the consumption of agricultural land for development, leading to a potential food crisis, and the environmental damage caused by leveling hilltops for construction. Residents like Thelma Davis suggest repurposing land unsuitable for other construction, such as former strip-mined areas, for data centers. Financial concerns also loom large, with individuals like Scott Mosely and Gloria Satterfield questioning the impact on utility costs, fearing that data centers would strain the energy grid and prioritize energy consumption, leading to higher bills for locals. Satterfield also mentioned concerns about potential chemical runoff. Charles Calvert, an Army veteran familiar with data center proliferation in Northern Virginia, expressed skepticism about how data centers would integrate into West Virginia's landscape, comparing them to