What's Being Proposed?

A large-scale data center and on-site power generation facility—commonly referred to as the Ridgeline project—has been proposed for Tucker County, near the communities of Thomas and Davis.

Overview

  • The project is being advanced by Fundamental Data, LLC. In 2025, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) issued an air quality permit authorizing construction of a 785-megawatt natural-gas-fired power plant with diesel backup generators.
  • According to the permit, the electricity generated would not be sold to the regional power grid. Instead, the plant would exclusively power a private data center complex proposed to span thousands of acres in a high-elevation, rural area of Tucker County.
  • Large portions of the permit and supporting documents were redacted, limiting the public’s ability to fully understand the project’s scope, ownership structure, long-term buildout plans, and cumulative impacts.

Whats at Stake

Environmental and Community Concerns
  • Air pollution from a large gas-fired power plant and diesel generators
  • Noise and light pollution in a rural, dark-sky region
  • High water and energy demand for industrial cooling and operations
  • Forest fragmentation and wildlife habitat loss
  • Permanent alteration of the mountain landscape
  • Impacts to tourism, outdoor recreation, and small-town economies

Watersheds and Public Lands

  • The proposed site lies within the headwaters of the Blackwater River watershed, near nationally significant public lands and recreation areas. Any degradation of air or water quality threatens resources that support fishing, skiing, hiking, paddling, and Tucker County’s outdoor-based economy.

 

 

Why This Matters

  • This proposal represents a fundamental shift in land use for Tucker County—from a region defined by clean air, dark skies, outdoor recreation, and tourism to one hosting permanent, fossil-fuel-powered industrial infrastructure.
  • Projects of this scale can shape a community’s future for generations. Once forests are cleared, infrastructure is installed, and pollution sources are permitted, the impacts are often irreversible.
  • Residents, local officials, and conservation organizations are asking whether this project aligns with the long-term environmental health, economic resilience, and community character of the Highlands.

Project Facts at a Glance

  • Developer: Fundamental Data, LLC
  • Location: Near Thomas and Davis, Tucker County, WV
  • Power Plant Size: 785 megawatts (natural gas with diesel backup)
  • Grid Connection: According to recent law, 10% of electricty generation can be sold back to the grid
  • Footprint: Potentially thousands of acres
  • Permit Status: Air quality permit issued by WVDEP; heavily redacted
  • Appeal Status:The air quality permit has been formally appealed by Tucker United, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, and the Sierra Club
  • Public Concerns: Transparency, cumulative impacts, siting, long-term consequences

 

 

WVHC's Response

The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy is actively engaged in reviewing and responding to the Ridgeline proposal to ensure transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation.Our work includes:
  • Technical and legal review of air quality permits and related filings
  • Participation in administrative appeals and litigation
  • Submission of public comments and formal objections
  • Coalition-building with residents and partners
  • Public education, media engagement, and information sharing
WVHC’s role is to elevate community voices and provide resources to ensure decisions with lasting environmental consequences are subject to rigorous public scrutiny.

Get Involved

Protecting Tucker County will require sustained public engagement. You can help by:Signing up for campaign updates
  • Joining and supporting Tucker United
  • Donating to support WVHC’s advocacy and legal work
  • Contacting your state and local representatives
  • Sharing verified news coverage and public documents
Decisions made today will shape the Highlands for decades to come. Transparency, accountability, and community input must come first.