By Luanne McGovern, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy
June was another busy month in the fight against the proposed Fundamental Data Ridgeline power plant and data center complex in Tucker County.
WV Legislature Interim Session – The WV Legislature held interim meetings at Canaan Valley State Park on June 14-16 and probably regretted the location decision and timing. Tucker United did a fantastic job organizing a community gathering at the park to make its voices heard by the legislators in attendance. Events included a picnic, sign-making, music, activities for kids and a peaceful protest. Even though the Legislature held sessions on economic development, finance and tourism, the words “data centers” were never heard by attendees. Its refusal to have a meaningful discussion on this all-important topic was in direct opposition to the community’s desire for engagement.
WV Democrats Hold Press Conference – Members of the WV Democratic caucus held a press conference on June 15 at the Davis Town Hall. They discussed their opposition to the Ridgeline project and plans for reform of HB 2014 during the 2027 legislative session. Priorities include restoring local control over data center development, changing the way tax revenues are allocated to the county, protecting groundwater and ensuring ratepayers are protected from increases in electrical rates. Those in attendance included Delegates Sean Hornbuckle, Kayla Young, Evan Hansen, Mike Pushkin and Anitra Hamilton, as well as House candidates Deborah Stiles (Tucker/Grant) and Olivia Miller (Monongalia).
Data Center Panel at Davis Fire Hall – A panel discussion on data centers was sponsored by Mountain State Spotlight and facilitated by Dan Parks of Country Roads News at the Davis Fire Hall on June 15. A capacity crowd heard from Amy Margolies (executive director of Tucker United), Chris Morris (director of the WV Data Economy Office), Delegate Evan Hansen (Monongalia) and Delegate JB Akers (Kanawha). The back-and-forth discussion was constructive and focused on community opposition to these large developments and the lack of local control due to HB 2014. Chris Morris committed to establishing a citizen advisory council on data center policy within 60 days (by Aug. 15). The panel will include people from industry, environmental advocates, academia and utilities. We will be holding him to that commitment.
Confusion Continues Between Commerce and Fundamental Data – A bewildering series of letters was exchanged between the WV Department of Commerce and Fundamental Data during the month. On June 18, Nick Preservati, deputy secretary of the WV Department of Commerce, informed Fundamental Data that it was in violation of the state’s requirements for filing for certification as a microgrid and high-impact data center. The department cited a May 18 meeting in Tucker County where Fundamental Data stated its intention to build data centers and therefore was required to file with the state within 30 days. Fundamental Data replied that it was not subject to this filing requirement because it had not formally stated its intentions and that “this is not how we would expect the State to treat a company that has chosen to invest in West Virginia at no cost or risk to its residents.”
To add even more confusion, on July 1 the state rescinded the violation notice after a series of phone calls and emails with Fundamental Data, which now claims that all of its plans for Ridgeline are only “conceptual.”
Land Ownership Claims – In its April 2025 air permit application to the WV Department of Environmental Protection, Fundamental Data claimed it had “an executed Purchase and Sale Agreement signed by both the Seller and Purchaser on July 19, 2024. Under this agreement, Fundamental Data LLC has control of the proposed site.” In the June 18 Commerce letter, Nick Preservati stated: “The Department conducted a search of the deeds and other records within the Office of the Tucker County Commission and did not find any property in Tucker County owned by Fundamental Data, LLC or any of its affiliated companies.”
We believe that Fundamental Data should be required to provide proof of this land agreement, and we will be requesting that the WV DEP investigate and ensure that its air permit application did not include false information.
Things are changing fast! Stay up to date on all the breaking news about the Tucker County fight through the WVHC Facebook page, Tucker United Facebook, Country Roads News, the Parsons Advocate and Mike Tony of the Charleston Gazette-Mail.