Protecting West Virginians From Data Centers

In an age where data is traded like gold, data centers are becoming more of a threat to people around the world. This is especially true in the Mountain State. With the passing of House Bill 2014, these data centers are eyeing West Virginia as a new place to develop. House Bill 2014, which my opponent voted to support, completely negates county and municipal approval for these projects, and instead turns it to the state as a "one-stop-shop" for approval.

So how does this affect the average West Virginian?

While my opposition may argue that data centers will create jobs and open a new sector in our economy, I disagree. AI data centers, like the one proposed in Tucker County, will replace jobs of hard working people, as well as decimate the natural beauty and environment wherever they are built.

Photo taken in Tucker County near proposed site of power plant and data center

Fundamental Data, the company behind the proposed "Ridgeline Facility" near Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls have submitted an application to build a natural gas power plant separate from the public grid in order to power a data center that they claim "Could be among the largest data center campuses in the world."

If fully realized, this complex would span over 10,000 acres in both Tucker and Grant Counties.

This, and the blatant lack of transparency on the project, raise many other questions:

• Where will the water needed for this come from?

• What impact will this have on the locals?

• How will developing 10,000 acres of land in rural West Virginia impact tourism in the area and the nearby Monongahela National Forest?

• What's really happening here and why must the public be left in the dark?

These are just a fraction of the many questions regarding the potential development.

West Virginia is no stranger to large companies coming to develop our land, making their millions, and leaving the people of this state with nothing to show for it. Look at what the timber industry did to our state in the early 1900s. Look at how poorly our coal miners, and the life of our state have been, and continue to be treated.

When will enough be enough, and do the people of this fair state really support this?

If I am elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, i will oppose any effort to further incentivize these corporations to take advantage of our state without the approval of the local government and populations where they intend to develop.

I am fighting for the future of the state we love and call home.

Thank you for your attention to this matter,

Andrew G. Lowry

Candidate for WV House of Delegates District 26