We, the residents of West Virginia, unequivocally oppose the establishment of data centers within our state. Just recently, Morrisey announced a $4 billion data center coming to Berkeley County, underscoring the aggressive push from corporations seeking to exploit our resources. We call on our state legislators and Governor to eliminate House Bill 2014 and any plans that facilitate these operations, which jeopardize our water, communities, and local governance.

Reality of Our Water Crisis

West Virginia has the highest rate of health-based drinking water violations in the U.S., with 80% of public water systems in some type of violation (EPA, 2024). Now, Big Tech is moving in and state law (HB 2014) lets them bypass local zoning, drain our water, and take our tax dollars. We demand reform before it's too late. Allowing data centers that can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day is simply unacceptable.

Risks to Our Environment

The discharge of warm water from data center cooling systems poses a significant threat to our cold-water fisheries, including native trout. This jeopardizes not only our natural heritage but also our tourism economy. Communities near data centers face heightened air and noise pollution, strained water resources, and increased energy costs. Gas turbine-powered data centers fill the air with nitrogen dioxide and diesel particulate matter levels above the national median. https://envirodatagov.org/blogs/communities-close-to-epa-regulated-data-centers-face-heightened-air-pollution/

A gas turbine-powered data center has already been proposed in Tucker County.

Erosion of Local Control

House Bill 2014 strips counties and schools of millions in property tax revenues, consolidating power in the hands of corporations while denying local governments the ability to regulate land use. This lack of local control diminishes our collective voice in protecting our communities.

Economic Misrepresentation

The promise of jobs from data centers is misleading. While they may briefly create construction work, permanent employment is minimal. Our community deserves jobs that contribute meaningfully to our economy. HB 2014 strips counties and schools of millions in property taxes. 

Our Demands

We demand:

    - The immediate cessation of any proposals for data centers in West Virginia.
    - A commitment to strengthening local governance over land use and zoning.
    - A focus on sustainable development that benefits the residents and environment, not just corporate interests.

West Virginia has suffered enough from industries that value profit over people. We deserve a future free from the threat of resource-heavy data centers that compromise our water and community welfare.

Let’s unite to reject the establishment of data centers and advocate for a future that prioritizes our health, environment, and quality of life. Sign the petition today to ensure our message is heard loud and clear.