West Virginia power plant expansion for AI data center raises environmental concerns
Tech companies building power plants to supply AI data centers in the US are increasingly using fossil fuels, raising health and environmental concerns in rural communities like Davis, West Virginia, where residents oppose a planned gas turbine plant designed to power a data center.
What happened
Fundamental Data is proposing to build a gas turbine power plant on the outskirts of Davis, West Virginia, designed to power a vast AI data center. Mayor Al Tomson and residents have been fighting the project since April, with the mayor characterizing it as a 'shell company' laying groundwork for an unidentified major tech company.
The gas turbines would be located approximately 1.5 kilometers from residents of Davis, a town of 600 people. West Virginia state government has supported the project, which residents say is being 'crammed down our throats.'
Reported impact
Residents fear toxic emissions from gas turbines will pose health risks to the community. The project exemplifies tensions between rapid AI infrastructure expansion and environmental concerns in rural communities.
Index analysis
Data centers' share of US electricity demand is expected to rise from current levels of around 5% to between 6.7% and 12% by 2028, driving urgent infrastructure expansion. Tech companies are increasingly building their own power plants off-grid, often using fossil fuels like natural gas.
Governance controls
Fundamental Data did not respond to multiple requests for comment. West Virginia recently adopted a law that residents suggest favors development projects over community input.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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