Living in West Virginia, I've witnessed firsthand the natural beauty that our state has to offer. From the lush forests to the pristine waterways, our environment is a vital part of our identity and our daily lives. However, this precious ecosystem is under threat. Plans to build AI data centers in our counties pose a significant risk to our limited water resources and our cherished wildlife. These data centers require vast amounts of water for cooling systems—water that is already scarce in these areas. Not only do they threaten to deplete and contaminate our water supplies, but they also bring the risk of damaging our local ecosystems and displacing wildlife that depend on these lands.

Despite promoting technological advancement, these AI data centers do not provide any direct benefits to the people of West Virginia. Instead, they serve the interests of large technology corporations, while our communities bear the environmental costs. It’s crucial that we prioritize our health, security, and natural surroundings over the interests of big businesses. West Virginia should be for the people, putting their needs and well-being first.

Moreover, these developments can bring unforeseen infrastructure strains and increase energy consumption, leading to further environmental degradation. We must ask ourselves: Is this a risk worth taking for the sake of progress that barely impacts us positively?

It's time to take a stand. We, the people of West Virginia, need to protect our environment and ensure sustainable development that benefits our communities and our future. We ask the local government to listen to our concerns and halt all plans for AI data center construction in our counties.

Let’s keep West Virginia wild and wonderful—urge our leaders to put people over profit. Sign this petition to stop the construction of AI data centers in our counties and preserve the natural beauty of our home for generations to come.