West Virginia Data Center Intel

Recent West Virginia data center news

• Jan 16, 2026

  Google Buys 1.2 GW of Carbon-free Energy to Power Data Centers Across U.S.

  Clearway announced a series of long-term PPAs with Google to deliver nearly 1.2 GW of carbon-free energy to power Google data centers.

  • Main announcement: Clearway announced long-term PPAs with Google for nearly 1.2 GW of carbon-free energy from new projects located in Missouri, Texas, and West Virginia, supplying grids serving Google data centers in SPP, ERCOT, and PJM for up to 20 years.
  • Project details & timeline: Construction is expected to begin this year, with first sites coming online in 2027 and 2028, and the portfolio represents more than $2.4 billion in investment in infrastructure. Additional context: Google has signed 170+ agreements for over 22 GW of clean energy since 2010 and reported a 12% reduction in data center emissions in 2024.
• Jan 15, 2026

  PJM Dials Back Near-Term Load Outlook but Maintains Steep Long-Term Growth Trajectory

  PJM Interconnection issued its 2026 Long-Term Load Forecast on Jan. 14, 2026, trimming near-term peak-demand projections while reaffirming steep long-term growth driven by data centers and electrification.

  • Near-term adjustments: PJM reduced projected summer peak demand by 2,564 MW for 2026 (-1.6%), 4,414 MW for the 2028 summer peak used in the capacity auction (-2.6%), and 1,630 MW for the 2031 summer peak used in transmission planning (-0.8%); the 2026 update attributes near-term declines to large loads (-0.7%), economic activity (-0.5%), and EVs (-0.1%) and notes updated economic inputs from Moody’s Analytics (Sept 2025).
  • Long-term framework and scope: The report projects average annual summer peak growth of 3.6% (next decade) and roughly +85,000 MW over 15 years, formalizes a new “firm” vs “non-firm” vetting framework via the Load Adjustment Request Implementation document (published July 2025) that requires Electric Service Obligations or Construction Commitments for near-term (<=3 years) large loads, and reports adjustments across 15 transmission zones (14 influenced by data center development).
• Jan 14, 2026

  Climate Change Solutions - January 13, 2026

  The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) announced its first Congressional briefing of the year, a wildfire solutions briefing on Tuesday, January 27, hosted with the Federation of American Scientists.

  • Main announcement: EESI will host a Congressional briefing titled “Igniting Innovation: Progress and a Path Forward for Wildfire Policy” on Tuesday, January 27, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (reception to follow) at Russell Senate Office Building, Room SR-385 and online; RSVP available on the EESI briefing page and a reception follows the briefing.
  • Background & related actions: The newsletter summarizes recent federal actions signed by the President including MAPWaters (P.L. 119-62) improving recreational waterway data collection, Save Our Seas 2.0 (P.L. 119-65) reauthorizing EPA marine debris programs, Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization (P.L. 119-67) for USGS research funding, and La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act (P.L. 119-68) (expected to create more than 700 jobs and provide enough solar and battery capacity to power about 75,000 homes); it also notes wildfire costs of $424 billion annually and highlights EESI coverage on data center water use (cited by multiple media outlets).
• Jan 9, 2026

  Meta Strikes Deal With Irving’s Vistra to Purchase Nuclear Power for Meta’s AI ‘Supercluster’

  Meta has signed 20-year power purchasing agreements (PPAs) with Vistra to procure 2,609 MW of zero-carbon nuclear energy to support Meta’s operations and its Prometheus AI supercluster in New Albany, Ohio.

  • Main announcement & deal details: Meta is purchasing 2,176 MW from operating units at Perry and Davis-Besse plus 433 MW of incremental output from equipment uprates at Perry (OH), Davis-Besse (OH), and Beaver Valley (PA) for a total of 2,609 MW; the PPAs are 20-year agreements, purchases begin in late 2026 and the full 2,609 MW will be online by 2034; Vistra will use the commitment to invest in uprates and pursue subsequent 20-year license extensions for the three plants.
  • Background and implementation details: Vistra acquired the plants in 2023, recently agreed to acquire Cogentrix Energy in a $4 billion deal; uprate projects span approximately nine years and are expected to support ~3,000 project-related jobs, increase state and local tax revenues (described as tens of millions of dollars annually), and benefit the PJM regional grid (PJM service area list provided in article).
• Jan 9, 2026

  Episode for January 9, 2026

  The Allegheny Front published a Jan 9, 2026 episode summarizing Inside Climate News’ three-part investigation into solid fracking waste in Pennsylvania and reporting regional environmental stories.

  • Main coverage: The episode highlights Inside Climate News’ three-part investigation into solid fracking waste in Pennsylvania and reports that environmental groups are appealing an air quality permit for a proposed 4.4 gigawatt gas-fired plant at Homer City (Indiana County) intended to fuel a data center; the plant is described as able to power more than 3 million homes and to emit more greenhouse gases annually than all cars in Pennsylvania.
  • Additional reporting: The show also covers University of Pennsylvania researchers proposing alternative ingredients and 3D printing to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint, and presents data showing road salt persists in waterways months after winter storms. Episode date: January 9, 2026; episode available via the provided mp3 and platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, TuneIn).
• Jan 5, 2026

  AI data centers: Economic boon or environmental disaster?

  GrowSmart Maine (author Joe Oliva) warns Maine communities to scrutinize proposed AI data centers and has released a community guide on AI data centers.

  • Main action: GrowSmart Maine and author Joe Oliva urge localities to demand transparency and robust public processes for AI data center proposals; specific local example: Lewiston — protesters gathered outside Lewiston City Hall ahead of a Dec. 16, 2025 city council meeting about a proposed AI data center at the Bates Mill complex (project was announced on a Thursday and set for a city council vote the following Tuesday).
  • Background & details: The piece highlights no state or federal requirements for operators to disclose energy and water consumption, cites a recent White House executive order that may preempt state regulation, and notes GrowSmart Maine’s release of its first community guide on AI data centers (resource link included).
• Jan 5, 2026

  AI data centers: Economic boon or environmental disaster?

  GrowSmart Maine released its first community guide on AI data centers and is urging Maine communities to demand transparency and carefully evaluate proposals for local AI data center projects.

  • Main action: GrowSmart Maine published a community guide on AI data centers that compiles publicly available information and provides guiding questions for towns; the guide is intended to help communities evaluate proposals such as the proposed A.I. data center at the Bates Mill complex in Lewiston (residents protested outside Lewiston City Hall ahead of the Dec. 16, 2025 city council meeting).
  • Background & context: The piece notes no federal or state regulatory framework requires disclosure of data-center energy and water consumption, references a recent White House executive order that would preempt state-level regulatory efforts, and highlights site types (former mills with behind-the-meter power and freshwater access) and rapid public-engagement concerns (a project announced on a Thursday and set for a council vote the following Tuesday).
• Jan 2, 2026

  State Broadband Bills of 2025: A Legislative Review

  State legislatures across the United States enacted and considered broadband-related legislation in 2025; fewer than 140 of more than 600 proposed bills became law.

  • Main actions: States enacted laws prioritizing infrastructure and permitting reforms, pole and rights-of-way access, criminal penalties for theft/vandalism, state broadband funding, and data center incentives. Notable enacted measures include Hawaii H 934 (established a state Broadband Office and programs, enacted in June and backed by $400 million in combined funding), West Virginia SB 907 (expanded the Economic Development Project Fund to allow up to $25 million annually for broadband incentives and up to $125 million annually for broadband loan insurance) and West Virginia HB 2014 (signed in April; created microgrid districts with zoning/permitting exemptions and special property tax treatment for qualifying projects).
  • Additional details and timelines: States also raised criminal penalties (e.g., Oklahoma classified willful damage to a critical infrastructure facility as a Class D3 felony with fines up to $100,000 and prison up to 10 years; Louisiana authorized fines up to $50,000 and prison up to 20 years; California AB 476 increased penalties for knowingly buying illegally obtained scrap metal to $5,000). Other enacted programs include California SB 338 (a $2 million telehealth pilot), New Mexico SB 126 (Rural USF increased from $30 million to $40 million), and Oregon’s device support up to $100 in Lifeline-related assistance. At least 37 states passed data center incentives in 2025 and over 1,000 AI-focused bills were introduced nationwide, with ~38 states adopting or enacting roughly 100 AI measures in 2025.
• Jan 2, 2026

  Meeting the Moment: Industry Leaders Chart the Course for Power in 2026

  POWER’s executive editor Aaron Larson compiles industry leaders’ perspectives on the power sector outlook for 2026, highlighting AI, data‑center demand, solar growth, supply‑chain constraints, and regulatory changes such as FEOC.

  • Main announcement/action: Industry leaders describe 2026 as a pivotal year where AI integration into grid management and data center-driven load growth will force planning for gigawatts of new capacity; examples and concrete figures cited include the Hale Kuawehi Solar and Battery Project reaching commercial operations on March 25, 2025 (30 MW PV + 30 MW/120 MWh storage), the IEA projection of ~3.68 TW of solar capacity added by 2030, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 2028 data‑center energy projections of ~325–580 TWh under different scenarios.
  • Background and specific details: The article documents regulatory and supply‑chain constraints including FEOC rules restricting tax credits for projects with covered‑nation links (China, Russia, North Korea, Iran); notable investments and timelines cited include National Grid investing £35 billion over the next six years to strengthen supply chains in England and Wales, Dominion Energy spending $2.1 billion on transmission in the prior year and planning >$2.8 billion annually starting in 2027, and Siemens Energy investing about €220 million (Sept 2025) in Nuremberg and $150 million in 2024 in Charlotte. It also notes the DeepSeek R1 release in 2025 as a pivotal event influencing data‑center power demand forecasts.
• Jan 2, 2026

  Episode for January 2, 2026

  The Allegheny Front published a podcast episode highlighting favorite 2025 stories from across Pennsylvania.

  • Main announcement: The episode highlights a 100-acre reforestation project in Erie County led by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the nonprofit Bosland Growth to reclaim former mineland and sell carbon credits, and it reports plans for the recently retired Homer City coal-fired power plant site to be repurposed as a gas-fired power plant and data center, raising questions about electric grid impacts and local community response.
  • Background and other coverage: The episode also reports on the river otter comeback in Western Pennsylvania, coverage of sustainable shopping amid U.S.-China tariffs (thrifting proponents), Trout in the Classroom student releases, and an earth-to-table gardening program for kids with autism; the outlet covers issues across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.