West Virginia data center project faces local pushback

A proposed natural gas-powered data center in Tucker County, West Virginia, is drawing criticism from local residents who say the project threatens the tourism economy that supports their livelihoods. The facility, designed to span 10,000 acres, would become the largest data center in the world if completed. Its footprint is slightly smaller than Manhattan. The site sits in a mountain region known for the Blackwater River and two ski mountains.

Jane Browning, who owns Ranger Jane, stated that tourism accounts for 80 percent of her business. She said, “Tourism is 80 percent of my business, and if there’s no tourism, there’s no business.” Other residents expressed frustration that the project appeared without prior public notice. One resident said, “It came out of nowhere, there was no warning, there was no opportunity to say no.” Another added, “We were never given a choice, never given a voice.”

Gov. Patrick Morrisey supports the project, arguing it will benefit the state. He stated, “We’re going to make sure that the water’s addressed, the environment’s addressed, that the power bills are lower, it’s going to get handled the right way.” However, public filings show the project’s air permits were approved on Aug. 15. Morrisey maintains that nothing has been fully approved and that the state is acting in good faith.

Ted McGavran, a developer for Fundamental Data based in North Carolina, recorded comments in July explaining why West Virginia was selected. He said, “Up in West Virginia, we’re the guys that wrote the bill and got it through the Legislature. We can do pretty much whatever we want to do up there.” Morrisey denied McGavran’s claim. The bill’s sponsor is Roger Hanshaw, the West Virginia Speaker of the House. Hanshaw also serves as the lawyer for Fundamental Data. The company has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

The issue has reached the federal level. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse are introducing a bill to reform data center permitting. Heinrich said, “When a community is considering whether or not to grant a permit to a major data center, it needs to understand what that project will mean for its electricity supply. Cost, water resources, infrastructure and local economy. In order for them to make a good decision.”

According to Ballotpedia, 47 local ballot measures regarding data centers appeared in U.S. midterm elections. Voters chose to curb development in 46 of those jurisdictions. Residents of Tucker County stated they were not given that same choice in a direct vote.