Smith Says Data Center Opponents Are Vacation Homeowners
Meanwhile, a petition drive gears up, Davis Mayor Al Tomson changes his stance, and more.
By Mat Cloak, contributing writer
As Tucker County grapples with the ramifications of a proposed power plant and data center, residents and elected officials are working on their responses to the controversy.
Here’s the latest on what’s happening:
Waiting on the Governor
Gov. Patrick Morrisey has said that attracting data centers to West Virginia is a priority for his administration. He scored a big win earlier this month when the state legislature passed HB 2014, a “microgrid” deregulatory bill that would make make it much easier to build data centers in the state.
However, Morrisey has been silent on the bill since the legislature cleared it for his signature, giving opponents hope that intense local opposition might cause him to reconsider his policies.
The last day for him to sign the bill is April 30. Inaction by the governor would result in the legislation becoming law.
The governor has not responded to repeated calls seeking comment.
Community Response
A group of concerned residents formed Tucker United, a coalition opposing the bill and the proposed data center in Tucker County.
“Whether you were born here or moved here, Tucker County folks are united in their passion for the pristine landscapes, close-knit communities, and small local businesses,” the coalition stated.
The coalition is circulating a petition that asks Morrisey to veto the bill because “we want to ensure that community members and their local representatives have a say in the development of these facilities, regardless of whether they support or oppose a particular project.” The petition has more than 1,730 online signatures so far.
The coalition says it’s also concerned about the environmental impacts of the proposed facility, stress on local fire and EMS services, water access, and the close proximity of the proposed site to Davis and Thomas, including the elementary/middle school in Thomas.
In addition to the petition drive, Tucker United provides information on how to contact elected officials and express opposition to an air quality permit the facility still needs to operate.
Local Elected Officials Defend Their Stance
Members of the County Commission say that contrary to complaints by some local residents, they have been fighting to stop the state from stripping away local control of data centers.
“A lot of people think the commission just sat back and did nothing. That’s not the case at all,” Commission President Mike Rosenau said. Rosenau said the commission spoke with the governor, state representatives, and the County Commissioners’ Association about their dissatisfaction with the bill. “We’re not happy with not having any say about what’s going on in our county,” Rosenau said.
“A lot of people think the commission just sat back and did nothing. That’s not the case at all.”
On Tuesday, all three county commissioners toured the site of the proposed data center and power plant, which is on land adjacent to the local landfill. The land is currently owned by Western Pocahontas Properties, the largest private landowner in the region.
The tour was led by Ed Fulton, who owns construction and real estate businesses in Thomas. The commissioners said there were no Western Pocahontas or Fundamental Data representatives present for the tour.
Fulton said he was asked to lead the tour because the site of the proposed data facility is on land currently leased by a local hunting club and he knows that area well.
Davis Mayor Changes His Position
Davis Mayor Al Tomson angered some people in the area when he expressed support for bringing data centers to Tucker County as long as the site is moved further away from populated areas.
On Wednesday, just hours before a regularly scheduled Davis Town Council meeting, Tomson said on Facebook that he has “revised” his stance. “I no longer support the construction of the facility at its proposed location or anywhere within Tucker County,” he wrote. The mayor added that he believes the risks to public health, the environment, and quality of life outweigh the economic benefits.
Tomson drew an outpouring of praise and support on Facebook for revising his position.
Thomas Mayor Jody Flanagan declined to comment on HB 2014 or the proposed data center and power plant.
Senator Randy Smith Attributes Opposition to Vacation Homeowners
State Senator Randy Smith, whose district includes Tucker County, remains a strong supporter of HB 2014 despite dissatisfaction among some local elected officials and many local residents. In a comment sent to Country Roads News, Smith said, “I realize there is a split in Tucker County between full-time residents who are excited at the opportunities that will come their way from increased revenue and job creation, and the people who have vacation homes who would prefer the area stay clear of any development at all.”
Some local residents disputed Smith’s characterization of the issue as a locals-versus-outsiders dispute.
“Our area can’t afford another under-regulated environmental hazard poisoning our water and air,” said Davis resident Katie Abernethy, who has lived in the area since 2009. “We have money from tourism and don’t need to sacrifice our health and safety for the planned data center.”
Sherry Sandruck, a full-time resident who lives near St. George, said she feels like the county’s autonomy was “stripped away” by HB 2014.
The bill would prohibit local governments from using zoning or other tools to manage or block data centers within their jurisdiction. The bill also would redirect 60 percent of any new property taxes away from local municipalities and into various state accounts. Smith sees that as a good deal for West Virginia localities and “unprecedented in some areas.”
Smith’s statement included factually incorrect information about the timing of the data center proposal. “The air quality permits for this location came in long before there even was a microgrids bill during the regular session,” Smith’s statement said. However, the air quality permit application was submitted by Fundamental Data on March 18, the same day HB 2014 was introduced in the state House of Delegates
Smith is the president of the state Senate, which gave him added clout in steering HB 2014 through the legislature and made him a target of local opponents of the data center proposal.
Smith has not attended any public or governmental meetings in Tucker County since the bill was introduced and passed.
Randy Smith didn't attend the April 13th meeting where over 200 locals came out against his attempt to strip away our rights. He is at best uninformed. The rights he is trampling would be the rights to clean air and adequate water supply, rights not to be polluted by industrial light and noise pollution and the right of citizens representation in what goes on in our County. These rights are God given, not endowed by political parasites. Smith does not represent the citizens of Tucker County, does not live here and serves his masters that thrive on the extortion of our taxes. Please move the data center next to your house in your county Randy.
Opponents are vacation hoome owners?? BULL !! Smith must be blind, deaf and apparently senile. ALL the opposition in the press and on facebook etc. has been locals. There is a desperate minority whose real interest is delaying the completion of Corridor H and rerouting it as many times as they think they can but those are extraneous. [Many of them are non-local activists of course.] So back to who opposes Data Centers in Tucker County -- it sure is NOT the vacation home owners! It is predominantly the locals.