After lawmakers stripped local control over data center projects, West Virginians say they’ll take their grievances to the ballot box

A proposed data center development in Wharncliffe, Mingo County, West Virginia, is sparking local controversy. Residents, including long-time local Sue Cantrell, are expressing strong objections to the project and recent legislative actions. The article highlights that West Virginia lawmakers have stripped local governments of their control over data center projects, a move that has fueled public discontent. In response to this perceived erosion of local authority, West Virginians are preparing to voice their grievances through the ballot box, signaling a collective effort to influence future policy and development decisions. The specific site targeted for the data center is located on the remnants of a former coal mine.