Voted Yes on HB2014-Rules-Amendments-Now Let's Get it Done

Op-Ed by WV Delegate Lisa White (R-Berkeley):

I have sat back and watched the fear, the half-truths, and the constant shifting arguments around data centers in West Virginia—and at some point, it needs to be said plainly:

This is not new.

This is not unregulated.

And this is not something we are being asked to take on faith.

We already did the work.

We already debated it.

We already voted for it.

Now it’s time to follow through.

But before we go further, let me be clear about where I come from.

I grew up in a blue-collar family—a family of union electricians. Both of my brothers left the union—one went on to become an owner of a major electrical contractor, and the other worked as an outage manager at a nuclear power plant in the northeast.

Full disclosure—my husband is still a union electrician and works at one of the data centers in Loudoun County. Through him, I’ve been privileged to real, on-the-ground information about how these facilities operate.

And I’ll say this plainly: watching the level of misinformation being spread about data centers is beyond frustration. It’s harmful.

Data Centers also actively engage with local communities through corporate volunteerism, financial donations to local charities, food and clothing drives, and other initiatives. This is also what I am passionate about. We cannot fix the problems with our Child Welfare system without good partners and revenue.

Because if we allow fear and false narratives to drive this conversation, it won’t stop data centers—it will just keep West Virginia from competing.

And I want to see this beautiful state grow. I want to see it compete with our neighboring states. I want to see it finally get the economic growth it deserves.

But enough about me and why I voted yes – let’s get to the facts! West Virginia has a clear legal process for how rules are created and approved.

Under WV Code §29A-3-11, legislative rules must go through full review and be affirmatively authorized by the Legislature before they ever take effect. That means the rules governing data center development didn’t slip through—they were vetted, debated, and approved through the exact process our Constitution requires.

That is not a loophole.

That is accountability.

And under WV Code §39A-3-2, our state formally recognizes and supports electronic records, transactions, and digital infrastructure. In plain terms, West Virginia has already aligned its legal system with the demands of a modern, digital economy. Data centers are not some foreign concept—we built the legal environment to support them.

Then comes the legislation itself—the laws we passed.

HB 4983 establishes the structure—requiring certification, oversight, and real review of impacts, including whether a project creates an inordinate burden on surrounding communities. By adding the wording “or access of water,” the bill ensures water resources are part of the approval process. This allows decision-makers to evaluate water availability and prevent projects that would place an undue strain on local supplies. It gives the state the authority to evaluate, verify, and enforce.

HB 5168 builds on that foundation. It doesn’t hand out blank checks—it sets conditions. Incentives are tied to real investment, real projects, and real accountability. No project, no incentive. No compliance, no benefit. That is not reckless—that is responsible policy.

And let’s address what keeps getting ignored.

HB 5168 does not write a direct check to teachers, EMS, or police. That’s not how it works— and pretending otherwise misses the point entirely. The only way to reduce taxes on residents is to support the expansion of business and industry in the State. This expansion will generate more tax revenue, alleviating the burden on private citizens. While people desire more amenities, better schools, and reliable emergency services, these improvements require additional funding.

This is exactly what HB 5168 does; it strengthens the very thing those services depend on: a stable, growing tax base.

You cannot fund schools without revenue.

You cannot sustain EMS on a shrinking economy.

You cannot expect strong law enforcement in communities that are losing investment.

This bill is designed to bring in large-scale, long-term capital investment—projects that build infrastructure, increase economic activity, and create stability where there has been decline. This is what funds:

Children & Teachers (Classroom / Education)
EMS & First Responders
Police Departments

You cannot demand better services while opposing the growth that pays for them.

Now let’s talk directly about the concerns being raised—because they deserve to be addressed with facts, not fear.

Water protection:

Data centers do not get a free pass on water use. They must comply with existing state and federal environmental laws, including permitting, discharge limits, and oversight. Nothing in these bills waives those protections. The same standards that apply to every major industrial user in West Virginia apply here—period.

Compare this to numerous large 500+ home mega neighborhoods being developed in the eastern panhandle – was there local control on those? I think not. So, let’s talk about Local Control.

Local Control: Patchwork Problem (Why It Doesn’t Work)

Yes, it is true we limited the patchwork of local control—and we did it on purpose. Because billion-dollar projects do not move forward in a state where every county can create a different set of rules.

We replaced inconsistency with a statewide framework that is clear, enforceable, and accountable. That is not a loss of control—that is responsible leadership. That is what we were voted in to do. Protect ALL of West Virginia.

WV Energy Advantage (Natural Resources + Microgrids)

There is a claim that these projects will drive up rates on everyday West Virginians. But the framework we passed—including microgrid and large-user provisions—was specifically designed to manage high-demand users separately and responsibly. These are planned, regulated systems—not uncontrolled burdens on the public grid.

The rise in power costs is primarily due to the overall increase in power demand, which has forced the federal government to electrify heat and transportation while shutting down power generation stations. This federal government intervention has created a power shortage, leading to higher rates.

West Virginia, blessed with abundant natural resources like coal and natural gas, is missing a golden opportunity to thrive. Instead of relying solely on these resources, the state should actively pursue the establishment of more power generation stations. This not only ensures self-sufficiency but also opens up the possibility of selling excess power to neighboring states. By doing so, West Virginians can reap the rewards of their natural wealth, leading to the growth and prosperity of the coal and gas industry. Hence MicroGrids!

Property rights and eminent domain:

Nothing in these bills gives data centers special authority to take private property. Eminent domain laws have not been expanded for this purpose. Property rights remain exactly where they have always been—protected under existing law.

So when people suggest otherwise, they are not pointing to what is written in the law—they are speculating or, worse, misrepresenting it.

And let’s put this in context.

If this were truly reckless, if this were truly unvetted, it would not have passed the way it did. Only a small handful of Republicans across both chambers—voted no.

True Conservatives act through law—not emotion, not pressure, not misinformation.

At its core, this is about the rule of law. Conservatives don’t pass legislation and then pretend it doesn’t exist—we follow it.

We created a framework, now let the market operate within it.

This is not government picking winners—this is government setting the rules and allowing private investment to do the rest.

That means the overwhelming majority of this Legislature—us—looked at the facts, reviewed the framework, and voted yes.

So ask yourself:

If the rules are in place,

If the guardrails are written into law,

If the process was followed,

Why are we now pretending otherwise?

Why are we allowing fear and misinformation to replace the very work we already did?

Here is the reality: West Virginia is an energy state.

We have the capacity.
We have the land.
We have the legal framework.

And now we have an opportunity.

Data centers bring serious investment. They build infrastructure that lasts. They position West Virginia in an economy that is not slowing down—it is accelerating.

The real risk is not that data centers come here.

The real risk is that after doing all the work—after passing the laws, after building the framework—we hesitate.

And when we hesitate, those investments don’t wait. They go somewhere else.

We cannot say we want economic development and then ignore the very policies we enacted to make it possible. That is not caution—that is inconsistent.

This isn’t about taking a leap.

This is about honoring the vote we already took.

We passed these laws.

We debated them.

We voted for them and a vote yes was a vote for conservative values! West Virginia is ready.

It’s time we start acting like it.

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We Already Voted for This: Data Centers

Voted Yes on HB2014-Rules-Amendments-Now Let's Get it Done

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