West Virginia (AP) – The race to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing is transforming America’s landscape — and igniting debate.
States across the country are rolling out big incentives to lure massive data centers, promising an economic boost. But not everyone is on board.
The push for these energy-hungry facilities intensified after the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022.
Now, tech giants are scouting huge plots of land with access to enormous amounts of power and water, and some communities are pushing back.
Critics argue the centers consume too many resources and create too few long-term jobs.
Supporters argue that the construction jobs and tax revenues make it worthwhile.
The demand is growing rapidly, from dozens to hundreds of megawatts, and land footprints are expanding to hundreds of acres.
In West Virginia, lawmakers passed a bill creating “microgrid” zones, exempt from local zoning rules, to attract data centers with flexible energy options.
Governor Patrick Morrisey called it a “landmark” move to put West Virginia in a league of its own.
