West Virginia stands out for how rarely local governments have moved to halt data center development, with only one reported moratorium enacted compared to hundreds across neighboring Ohio and Pennsylvania. At least 59 companies are active in the state, a strong signal of market confidence, and all three reported zoning decisions were approvals. Opposition has surfaced but has not stopped projects, with at least four approved despite local pushback. The main friction point is legal, with at least 31 lawsuits filed, along with one reported regulatory restriction adopted, so developers should watch the courts more closely than zoning boards.
Regulatory Environment Score
West Virginia stands out for how rarely local governments have moved to halt data center development, with only one reported moratorium enacted compared to hundreds across neighboring Ohio and Pennsylvania. At least 59 companies are active in the state, a strong signal of market confidence, and all three reported zoning decisions were approvals. Opposition has surfaced but has not stopped projects, with at least four approved despite local pushback. The main friction point is legal, with at least 31 lawsuits filed, along with one reported regulatory restriction adopted, so developers should watch the courts more closely than zoning boards.
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