Questions and concerns raised over proposed Davis power plant
The sentiment of the proposed 500-acre facility was largely negative, with residents and non-residents citing concerns over pollution, water usage, health risks, noise pollution and light pollution.
However, one of the biggest sticking points is the apparent secrecy around the project. Both residents and officials were caught off guard by the power plant. Davis Mayor Alan Tomson said he and county officials learned about the project just 10 days before the meeting.
What we know about the proposed power plant in Tucker County
Several pieces of information in an air quality permit application, like how much fuel the turbines at the plant would use and projected amounts of pollutants they would create, were redacted. Fundamental Data, the company behind the power plant, also has no internet presence and is essentially a complete unknown.
'It is part of the plan and part of the design that we don't have answers to fundamental questions,' one person said during the town hall. 'Otherwise, there would not be wholesale redactions.'
The application for the power plant was filed the same day that House Bill 2014 was introduced to the West Virginia House of Delegates. The bill explicitly prohibits any county or municipality from enacting rules, laws or ordinances that 'limit, in any way, the creation of, […] and operation of any certified microgrid district or certified high impact data center project.'
HB 2014 was signed into law on Saturday, the day before Davis' town hall took place.
Now, Davis, Thomas, and any other community in West Virginia will find their ability to fight or prevent other microgrids severely restricted.
'I want to ask [state legislators] if they have so little disregard for local opinion. That people, local leaders were not involved in the process whatsoever,' Mayor Tomson told 12 News in an interview. 'To be able to take all control and authority away from the local leadership when you have really impactful projects that are going into those local areas.'
12 News recorded the entire two and a half hour meeting; you'll be able to find that recording at the bottom of this story on Monday evening.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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