NEWS RELEASE from WV Delegate S. Chris Anders

WV Delegate S. Chris Anders
December 5, 2025
Contact: Delegate S. Chris Anders

---

“THE RULES GOVERNING DATA CENTERS MUST PROTECT WATER, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES”

Martinsburg, WV — Delegate S. Chris Anders issued the following statement regarding his vote against the final passage of HB 2014, legislation promoting data center development in West Virginia, and the upcoming rules package that will determine how these facilities are sited and operated:

“As a strong supporter of free enterprise, expansion of our coal and natural gas industries, and efforts to bring new businesses to West Virginia, I believe data centers can greatly strengthen our economy. The tax revenue generated by these centers can help accelerate our work to eliminate the state personal income tax, which remains one of my top goals.

However, HB 2014 passed without addressing several critical protections that West Virginians deserve.”

Groundwater and Well Protection

Data centers can use extraordinary amounts of water. Without strict safeguards, they risk draining local aquifers and damaging private wells. These facilities must be required to use closed-loop cooling systems or other technologies that do not extract groundwater.

Private Property Rights

Large industrial data centers placed beside residential neighborhoods can severely damage private property values. Clear siting standards, buffers, and setbacks must be adopted to protect homeowners and preserve community character.
Private property is the foundation of our Republic, and no legislation should undermine it.

Local Coordination

County governments and residents must have a voice. HB 2014 failed to provide meaningful mechanisms for local input or coordination between counties and the state.

Rules Package Must Fix These Gaps This Session

“With the bill now law, the Legislature will soon take up the rules package that governs the siting and operation of data centers. These rules are where the shortcomings of HB 2014 must be fixed.

This session, the Legislature has an obligation to ensure that West Virginians’ water, private property rights, and communities are fully protected. The rules must include strong, enforceable standards covering groundwater usage, siting, setbacks, and county-level involvement.

For these reasons, and because the bill was incomplete, I voted NO on final passage. I support economic growth and new industries, but not at the cost of private property rights — the very foundation of our Republic — nor at the expense of the water and resources our families depend on. These issues must be corrected in the rulemaking process.”