Gov. Patrick Morrisey threw his support behind a bill Tuesday that would bring more data centers to West Virginia and allow coal and natural gas to power them.
Morrisey called House Bill 2014 a once-in-a-generation opportunity to power the future of data, drive economic growth and bring high-skilled jobs to the state.
The bill, introduced Tuesday, would enable the creation of microgrids to power the data centers.
The governor framed it as a chance to compete with other regions where data centers are concentrated, including nearby Virginia.
“The future of digital infrastructure needs power. West Virginia has an awful lot of power. Now it’s the time to act,” Morrisey said. “The Power Generation and Consumption Act establishes West Virginia as the preeminent data center hub by offering an alternative to the over concentrated areas of the country, Northern Virginia, Silicon Valley and Texas, gives us a chance to really shine. “
Current law allows microgrids to be powered by renewable resources. Berkshire Hathaway Energy is building one such facility in Jackson County, powered by solar.
HB 2014 would also allow coal and natural gas to fuel the microgrids.
Utilities have forecast a rise in demand for electricity from data center growth. Lawmakers want Appalachian Power and Mon Power to use their existing coal plants to support the demand.
Executives from those companies, though, have told lawmakers that gas is more competitive.
Environmental groups say renewables and batteries could provide sufficient power for data centers and be built more cheaply and quickly than gas plants.
