West Virginia Bets on Data Centers Amid National Backlash Over Power Use and Jobs

West Virginia is aggressively courting data center development at a time when other states are pushing back against the energy-hungry facilities. The state sees the massive computing hubs as a path to economic revival, leveraging its abundant natural gas and coal resources to attract tech giants like Google and Meta. Governor Jim Justice and Senator Joe Manchin have championed the projects, arguing they will create high-paying jobs and diversify a state long dependent on mining. But critics warn that data centers could strain the power grid and raise electricity costs for residents, with some projects receiving tax breaks worth hundreds of millions of dollars. As other states, including Virginia and Arizona, consider moratoriums or stricter regulations, West Virginia is doubling down, betting that the economic benefits will outweigh the risks. The outcome could reshape the state's energy landscape and set a precedent for rural communities seeking a slice of the digital economy.