West Virginia Forest Faces Data Center Threat

The Monongahela National Forest, spanning nearly a million acres in eastern West Virginia, is home to natural attractions like Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls. The area is known for its dark skies, which draw amateur astronomers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Kaleb Skelton, a seasonal campground manager, and his family have lived in a camper in the region for seven months. He describes the dark skies as one of the best in the Eastern United States, with one in four campsites occupied by telescope users during new moons.

However, the area's natural beauty and dark skies are now under threat from a proposed power plant and data center in Tucker County. The project, led by Fundamental Data LLC, could expand to 10,000 acres, including parts of neighboring Grant County.

The company claims the facility will use natural gas and diesel as backup, with on-site power generation to reduce electricity costs. It also promises well-designed lighting to minimize light pollution near Blackwater Falls State Park, which is seeking dark-sky certification.

An analysis by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club found that the project's initial footprint could increase sky glow near Blackwater Falls by 528%, making it comparable to a suburban area. The same analysis noted a minimal impact on Spruce Knob, the state's highest point.

Opponents, including Tucker United, argue the project could cause significant health-related damages and premature deaths, with estimates ranging from $19 million to $35 million annually. They also warn of the risks of storing 30 million gallons of diesel near a creek that feeds into local water supplies.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection approved the air-quality permit without a comprehensive assessment of public health impacts. Opponents have challenged the decision in court, but their appeal was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.

Despite opposition, the state legislature passed a law exempting data centers from local zoning and land-use restrictions. Governor Patrick Morrisey defended the move, citing the need for economic development and job creation in a state with high poverty rates.

Local residents, including Davis Mayor Alan Tomson, argue the community is highly educated and has a strong history of fighting harmful development. They believe the project could disrupt the region's natural beauty and threaten its status as a recreational and ecological haven.

Some residents, like Tucker County Sheriff Jake Kopec, support the project, citing the need for better-paying jobs and tax revenue to fund essential services. He argues the facility is not easily visible from nearby towns and would provide needed economic benefits.