West Virginia lawmakers eliminated local authority to regulate data centers and similar projects - AP News
Delegate Evan Hansen unsuccessfully sought to amend the bill to restore local control over data center projects.
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TAP FOR WHYOutlet credibility · Associated Press97/100 HIGH
411 stories · 96.5–97.3 · updated Sep 25, 2026
This article1 analysis · Apr 17, 2026
SOURCEAssociated Press
Published Aug 4, 2025
tl;dr
West Virginia passed legislation stripping local governments of the power to regulate data centers and microgrids to attract tech investment, sparking backlash over transparency and environmental concerns.
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SWIPE →Patrick Morrisey
WV · SEN
Governor of West Virginia championing the legislation
Morrisey's version of this story ↗ALSO MENTIONED Al Tomson, Mayor of Davis, West Virginia; Marty Gearheart, State Delegate who opposed the bill; Tammy Tincher, President of the County Commission of West Virginia
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