West Virginia data center lead shares plans for a citizen advisory board, increased transparency
West Virginia's data center chief, Chris Morris, announced the formation of a citizen advisory council to recommend policy for high-impact data center projects, amidst growing opposition and legislative debate over House Bill 2014. The law currently allows certain data centers to bypass local zoning ordinances, sparking calls for local control from community groups like Tucker United.
Chris Morris, director of the West Virginia Data Economy Office, announced plans to establish a citizen advisory council on data center policy. Speaking at a panel in Davis, Morris stated the council, to be operational within 60 days, would include diverse viewpoints and recommend standards for "high-impact" data center projects. This move comes as communities across West Virginia, including Tucker County, are pushing back against proposed data center developments.
The discussion highlighted concerns over House Bill 2014, a state law passed last year that allows certain high-impact data centers to override local ordinances regarding zoning, noise, and setbacks. Del. Evan Hansen (D-Monogalia) criticized the law for stripping local control, while Del. JB Akers (R-Kanawha) defended it as a means to attract jobs and establish guardrails for development, even acknowledging that data centers could still operate without HB 2014.
Community organizer Amy Margolies of Tucker United, an opposition group, stressed the need for legally binding protections, citing difficulties in obtaining information about a proposed Fundamental Data LLC project between Thomas and Davis. Residents gathered to demand the repeal of HB 2014, emphasizing that promises alone are insufficient without legislative changes. The existing law also diverts the bulk of data center tax revenue to statewide personal income tax reduction, with only a portion going to local counties.