Dear Editor,
Gov. Morrisey and the state legislature have placed a welcome mat out. Morrisey is making grandiose promises about what data centers will bring to West Virginia.
Data centers are huge and polluting; they require massive amounts of energy and water. The heat they generate requires lots of water to keep them cool. Data centers use up local resources. The data centers will lead to already expensive electricity rates rising even more. The average ratepayer will be stuck paying higher rates.
Gov. Morrisey wants no roadblocks to turning West Virginia into one massive data center farm. He has locked out local communities with no local oversight. Morrisey and the state legislature passed a bill that prohibits local governments from interfering in the construction of data centers, regardless of the adverse effect on the local community. To further make it worst, property taxes will go to the state, not the local community. The people will have no say; the state government will control everything. Costs will continue to rise, harming communities and pushing more people into poverty.
Many fear the environmental impact of data centers. Data centers lead to water, noise, and light pollution. The government agencies that are supposed to protect us seem more interested in pushing Gov. Morrisey’s agenda. The state DEP rubber stamps permit approvals for work regarding data centers. It ignores community and environmental advocates. The DEP has a habit of not protecting West Virginia’s air, land, or water.
What benefits do the local communities receive? Not much. The data centers do not need a lot of employees. They will add very little to the local economy.
Gov. Morrisey is not interested in local input. He wants data centers in West Virginia, whether the people want them or not.
Bill Bisset
Maxwelton, W.Va.
