4 days ago
Tucker United fighting construction of power plant and data center
DAVIS, (WBOY) — A community group called Tucker United held a public meeting in Davis on Sunday to discuss the ramifications of the proposed power plant between Davis and Thomas, and what can be done to stop the project.
Roughly 100 people filed into St. John's Lutheran Church for the meeting. In a flier, Tucker United said it is against the development of the data center project anywhere in Tucker County. The group claims the project poses a threat due to possible air pollution, high water use that could further strain water sources, and impact on local tourism.
Several times during the meeting, members of Tucker United said that the company Fundamental Data, who is behind the project, would not be 'good neighbors' and that the local area would reap few of the economic benefits of the project. Tucker United said that in its correspondence with Fundamental Data, the company would not discuss if the project would bring long-term jobs to the area. Furthermore, they say that under House Bill 2014, which was signed by Governor Morrisey last legislative session, 70% of the tax revenue would go to the state, leaving 30% to the county.
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Among the group's frustrations with the data center project is the secrecy around it, including a 'highly redacted air quality permit' that they have been trying to get more details on. Local leadership and residents were both caught off guard by the proposed power plant, with many learning about the project through a notice posted in the local newspaper.
Tucker United is trying to marshal community support, and various members of the community with relevant expertise spoke or were mentioned during the meeting, including a lawyer, an engineer, and a tech project manager.
Zina Raye, who works as a project manager in northern Virginia and has had a lot of experience with data centers, connections with the Davis area and said she plans on retiring in Canaan Valley. In an interview with 12 News, she said that the data center would be of a massive scale and that its likely use is artificial intelligence (AI). Raye said that while she believes AI will be largely beneficial to society, she also believes in industry working with the local community when it comes to the building of data centers, which is what she said happened in her home in northern Virginia.
'I believe if public and private partnership exists, that's where you would find that optimal place for this data center. That's where you would take into consideration that West Virginia has this fledgling, wonderful eco-tourism industry, and you don't want to kill your existing industry.'
Tucker United is also looking to enlist the support of local leaders and representatives. At the meeting, Mayor of Davis Al Tomson announced that the Davis Town Council adopted a resolution against building the data center next to Davis. Tucker United says it plans to go to the City of Thomas and the Tucker County Commission to make their case to them. Floated during the meeting was advocating for amending House Bill 2014 and creating different zoning ordinances.
House Bill 2014 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.' Tucker United says that the law has serious implications for not just Davis, but communities throughout West Virginia.
Member of Tucker United Shaena Crossland told 12 News, 'I just want to say that if you are a West Virginian, if this is your home, even if it's not and you come here, what is going on right now is really important. And you need to be informed. You need to be aware of what's going on and you need to fight back and take control.'
12 News recorded the majority of the two hour meeting, and you can watch it below.
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