Public Meeting1:29:38MetroNews Television·Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, WV
A community forum, hosted by MetroNews Television and the Stubblefield Institute at Shepherd University, discussed the future of data centers in West Virginia. Panelists from local government, community advocacy, state economic development, and QTS Data Centers debated the impacts of House Bill 2014, which limits local control over data center development. Concerns were raised about the bill's lack of transparency, the significant environmental and infrastructure demands of hyperscale data centers, and the need for adequate guardrails and community input. The discussion highlighted a specific project in Tucker County facing strong local opposition due to its scale and proximity to residential areas and natural resources. Panelists from QTS emphasized collaboration with communities and the importance of power availability for site selection.