Latest news with #LoriKersey
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
West Virginia: Stop trying to make data centers happen
A giant data center has been proposed to be located between Thomas and Davis, West Virginia, near tourist destinations like Blackwater Falls State Park. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) When people refer to West Virginia as 'Almost Heaven,' we think of the beautiful, quiet scenic areas like Black Water Falls, Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods, all in Tucker County. However, our lawmakers just see money signs — and not very many of them. Gov. Patrick Morrisey recently signed into law House Bill 2014 — one of his key priorities — which created the state's microgrid program to encourage data centers to come to the Mountain State. Residents in Tucker County are already fighting a proposed data center. A Virginia company, Fundamental Data, has applied for an air permit from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for the 'Ridgeline Facility.' It includes an off-the-grid natural gas power plant between Thomas and Davis, which will likely power the giant data center proposed for a site just a mile away from the county's most heavily populated and tourist-attracting areas. A microgrid is a small power plant that is usually attached to a larger national grid, but runs independently to power things like a college campus, hospital complex or, in this case, a data center. West Virginia's new law allows 'high impact data centers' to curtail local zoning ordinances, meaning their microgrids don't have to attach to existing utilities. HB 2014, as requested by Morrisey, originally included provisions that would have required electric utilities with coal fired plants to operate at a higher capacity — 69% compared to 40% — and hold a 45-day supply of coal on hand at all times, while most only stockpile a 30-day supply. Lawmakers saw this bill as an opportunity to boost the state's coal industry, but power companies said it would be difficult to meet those standards. Not only that, but meeting those standards would have raised electricity rates for customers. The bill was amended dozens of times and passed without those standards, and Morrisey signed it into law. Now residents of Tucker County are worried about a proposed data center taking away from the serene beauty of their home. As someone who grew up in Poca just across the river from the coal-powered John E. Amos Power Plant, I understand why you wouldn't want a new one to pop up near your home. It's never quiet — you can hear the beep beep beep of equipment backing up all night and the banging of construction, and when the towers release steam, it sounds like the end of the world (at least it did when I first heard it as a child). And coal definitely keeps the lights on at the plant 24/7. In Virginia, which has the largest data center market in the world, there are local noise and lighting ordinances to protect residents. West Virginia residents won't have the same protections. My dad said during the 1970s, before air pollution was taken more seriously, ash from the John Amos plant would be all over the place in the mornings. Sometime in the 1990s, everyone on our street noticed spots on their cars that messed up the paint. My dad said the air pollution commission ran some tests on the spots that indicated they came from the power plant. It only happened that one time, dad said, but it was worrisome then and it's something to think about now as the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations. For instance, the Department of Justice has been told to block states from enforcing their own regulations on coal — because President Donald Trump wants to revive 'beautiful, clean coal.' Not only are power plants loud, but data centers are as well. They create noise pollution, typically a low humming sound, which is the cooling system that must run constantly to keep the temperatures down. Many data centers also use a diesel powered back-up system in case they lose power, and those must be tested monthly. These generators can run between 85 and 100 dBA — 85 dBA is when hearing can be harmed. So why are we putting up with this noise? It must be because it'll bring lots of jobs to the state, right? Not likely. Data centers are just buildings full of computers, and are largely automated. You ever wonder where the stuff you save on the cloud is stored, where the computers that make AI art are or where bitcoin is mined? In a data center. Some facilities employ only 50 people. Most data center jobs come from the construction of the facilities, and are often contracted from out-of-state. Aside from data centers not bringing jobs, they could cost ratepayers more money. Virginia has proposed two transmission lines for their data centers, and the lines could cost West Virginians more than $440 million, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis The two transmission lines, both of which cut through West Virginia, were proposed to help with growing demand for electricity from data centers. PJM's transmission cost allocation methodology charges all ratepayers for the transmission infrastructure because it assumes that the 'regional transmission costs could not be attributed to a single new user or class of users.' However the most recent Regional Transmission Expansion Plan processes shows that's not the case. While West Virginia is trying to use Virginia as an example on data centers, the state isn't doing it the same way with regulations and protections. 'What you're going to get if you do it this way is the worst players, the ones that didn't need to be in Northern Virginia,' said Julie Bolthouse, director of land use at Piedmont Environmental Council in Virginia. '… the players that are wanting that lack of regulations because they didn't want to abide by rules and didn't want to or need to protect communities, which is worse for West Virginia and the communities. What West Virginia is doing is not what Virginia is doing.' If lawmakers are serious about bringing data centers to the state, then they need to be serious about the consequences and set better regulations to protect residents who want to enjoy wild, wonderful West Virginia without noise cancelling headphones. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Morrisey signs bill requiring West Virginia cities to hold elections on same day as the state
Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed into law Senate Bill 50, which requires cities and towns to change their election dates to be the same day as state elections by in 2032. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) West Virginia municipalities will be required to hold their elections on the same day as statewide general or primary elections under a bill Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed this week. Senate Bill 50 requires cities and towns to change their election dates by in 2032. Morrisey signed the bill into law on Friday. Supporters of the bill say requiring municipalities to have their elections along with state elections will save cities and towns money on election costs and lead to higher voter turnout. According to the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office, 113 municipalities across the state will have their elections in 2025, which is not a year for state elections. Both bodies of the Legislature overwhelmingly supported the measure. Different versions of the bill passed 96 to 2 in the House and unanimously in the Senate. Lawmakers ultimately approved the Senate's version of the bill, which sets a deadline of 2032 for the cities to change their election days. The House's version would have set the deadline at 2028. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill requiring stricter voter photo ID clears West Virginia Senate
A sign marks a polling place during the May primary election. Early voting starts today in West Virginia. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) The Senate approved a bill that would tighten laws on acceptable forms of photo identification that can be used at West Virginia polling places. The GOP-backed measure, House Bill 3016, is meant to address voter fraud and bolster secure elections. In a state with abysmal voter turnout, opponents of the bill worry it would make it harder for West Virginia residents, particularly older residents, to vote on Election Day. The bill would require a photo ID — typically a driver's license, passport or a resident identification card — to vote in-person. It would eliminate several current options accepted at polling places that can validate identity, including a Medicaid card and utility bill. It passed the Senate on Friday with a vote of 32-2. Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion — the Senate's two Democratic Senators — were the two no votes on the measure. The measure permits voters 65 and older to use an expired ID, including an expired driver's license, as long as it was valid on their 65th birthday. Additionally, poll workers may allow a voter, whom the poll worker has known for at least six months, to vote without presenting a valid ID. West Virginia residents can request a voter registration card with a photo free of charge from a county clerk's office. The House of Delegates approved the legislation on March 28. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WV House approves legislation requiring cities to hold elections on same day as state's
A sign marks a polling place during the May 2024 primary election. The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would require local municipalities to hold their elections on the same day as statewide elections. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) The West Virginia House of Delegates has signed off on legislation that would require municipalities to hold their elections on the same day as state elections. Delegates passed Senate Bill 50 Monday with a vote of 96 to 2. Supporters of the bill say requiring municipalities to have their elections along with state elections will save cities and towns money and encourage voter turnout. According to the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office, 113 municipalities across the state will have their elections in 2025, which is not a year for state elections. Morgantown's election, for instance, is scheduled for April 29. Bridgeport's election will be June 10. Under the version of the bill passed by the House, cities and towns have until 2028 to hold their elections on the same day as state elections. Delegates approved the change in a floor amendment offered by Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia, on Friday. The Senate passed the bill unanimously on March 3. In the Senate's version of the bill, the deadline was 2032. Those who advocated for a later deadline have said that some municipalities established their election dates in their charter, and that changing the charters may require an election. Others argued that state law would supersede municipal law and allow cities and towns to change the dates sooner. The Secretary of State's Office also supported a later deadline, saying in a statement that it would allow more time for municipalities to conduct local redistricting for any conflicts with geographic, precinct and political districts. Redistricting is especially an issue for smaller municipalities, a spokesman for the office said. Del. Larry Kump, R-Berkeley, spoke in support of the bill Monday, saying that in his district, Hedgesville and Martinsburg have low voter turnout because of 'weird' election days. 'By mandating that all West Virginia elections are held on normal election dates, Senate Bill 50 will eliminate the taxpayer burden of holding these special elections, but importantly, will also increase voter awareness and election turnout,' Kump said. He relayed a story about moving to West Virginia years ago and asking about cities' having 'weird' election days. He said he was told that the off-year elections entrench government officials by ensuring that their friends come out to vote for them but others stay home, unaware of the election. The bill will now go back to the Senate to consider the change the House made to the bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WV lawmakers considers bill that would allow nonresidents to vote in municipal elections
The West Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that would allow some people to vote in municipalities they don't live in. A polling station at Edgewood Summit in Charleston, during the 2024 primary election. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) Certain West Virginia residents would be able to vote in municipal elections where they don't live under a bill state lawmakers are considering. House Bill 2381 was before the House Judiciary's subcommittee on legal services Friday morning. The subcommittee referred it on to the main Judiciary Committee for consideration. Under the bill, a nonresident who lives within the county where the municipality is located would be eligible to vote in a city election if: They've paid city fees or charges in the last year. They have owned property there for at least 60 consecutive days prior to applying to vote in the election. They own at least 25% of a business that has paid business and occupation tax or privilege tax in that municipality within the last year of the election. During a committee hearing about the bill last week, Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley, said the bill would ensure that business owners who contribute to a municipality by paying fees, owning property or owning a business have a say in local governance. 'House Bill 2381 presents the opportunity to ensure that municipal elections reflect the voices of those who are financially invested in the communities they help sustain,' Hornby said, reading from a prepared statement in place of the bill's lead sponsor, Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia. 'This bill is about fairness. It recognizes that many West Virginia citizens who live outside of a municipality still contribute to its economic and civic life, whether through paying municipal service fees, owning property or running businesses that generate tax revenue. These individuals play a vital role in shaping the cities and towns around them.' Nonresidents would be limited to voting on citywide issues and at-large positions, and could not vote for ward or district representatives, Hornby said. Nonresident voters would apply to vote through the clerk of the county and provide documentation of their property ownership, business stake or municipal fee payment, he said. Michelle Holly, the acting president of the West Virginia County Clerk's Association, testified last week that the bill would be 'logistically almost impossible' for clerks to implement in a secure and private way. 'West Virginia's gold standard for registering you to vote is based on where you lay your head at night. So our whole entire system is set up on addresses,' Holly said. 'That's how we place you in your precinct. That's how we know who your delegate is, who your senator is — whether or not you live in city limits.' During the meeting Friday, Del. Keith Marple, R-Harrison, spoke against the bill, saying he'd heard from several municipalities, mayors and citizens that they opposed the legislation. 'They strongly oppose this bill, that people not living in their community are going to come in and take over their city government, and it's going to ruin their city,' he said. 'And people that live in a municipality will have no control over their own village, their own town, their own city. I strongly oppose this.' The House of Delegates on Thursday rejected a bill that would have allowed businesses and corporations in the state to directly donate up to $2,800 to political candidates. Delegates voted 54-41 against House Bill 2719. The legal services subcommittee on Friday also advanced legislation that would require voters to present photo identification to poll workers when voting. House Bill 3016 is one of Secretary of State Kris Warner's legislative priorities for this session. 'The integrity of our processes, systems and personnel is at the heart of our voter confidence. The names of deceased people, convicted felons and out of state citizens will continue to be removed from the voter rolls,' Warner told reporters during the West Virginia Press Association's Legislative Lookahead event last month. 'This session I'll support the implementation of photo ID for voters and work tirelessly to ensure every eligible citizen will have the right and opportunity to vote.' The bill would repeal current sections of law that allows voters to present nonphoto identification, including hunting and fishing licenses, credit cards and utility bills. The bill would also require that people who are legal noncitizens of the country be issued driver's licenses that include identification as noncitizens so that the driver's licenses may not be used to fraudulently vote. State code requires that registered voters be U.S. citizens and legal residents of the state and county where they're voting. Bill sponsor Del. Erica Moore, R-Roane said she expects the Judiciary Committee to make changes to the bill when it takes it up, including possible changes to how the IDs are labeled 'noncitizen.' Putting 'noncitizen' on a person's photo may give someone viewing the ID the wrong impression that the person is in the country illegally, she said. 'We know as legislators that they're not going to get an ID unless they're a legal noncitizen here, and they've they have a visa, they're here for work, possibly as an example, and they might have a driver's license for five years while they're here doing what they've been approved to do in the United States,' Moore said. 'The general public, however, may not understand it that way. And so, seeing 'noncitizen' might give somebody the idea that they're here illegally, and we wouldn't want to target anyone or have them have undue stress because of that.' The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia is against the bill, saying it's among the bills that lawmakers are considering that would further restrict voting in the state. 'HB 3016 is designed to intimidate already vulnerable populations and preserve the status quo by depressing voter turnout,' Communications director Billy Wolfe said in an email 'Voters should take note that elected leaders are spending their limited time in session preserving their own hold on power and picking on visitors to our country rather than fixing our 50th-in-the-nation education system or getting southern West Virginians much-needed flood relief.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
