Sarah Elbeshbishi

Ron Sahu testifies as an expert witness in front of the West Virginia Air Quality Board over Zoom. Sahu is a mechanical engineer and an expert in air pollution and emissions. Photo by Sarah Elbeshbishi/Mountain State Spotlight

As pushback to data center projects has grown, lawmakers offer no clear plans to address concerns. Others have dismissed community worries altogether.

As proposals for data centers increase in West Virginia, some residents are pushing lawmakers to amend legislation to address concerns about a lack of transparency and local control

As proposals for data centers increase in West Virginia, some residents are pushing lawmakers to amend legislation to address concerns about a lack of transparency and local control

Despite losing $106 million as power costs rise, West Virginia isn’t suing to restore federal funding.

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In 2024, the federal government awarded states billions of dollars to help low-income households and communities access solar energy. But in August 2025, the Trump administration canceled the funding. In October 2025, more than 20 states sued the federal government over what they say is the “unlawful’ termination of the program and its funding. And despite losing more than $100 million, West Virginia is not among the states challenging the federal cut.

West Virginians are forgoing basic necessities to make ends meet as electricity costs soar. Hear from residents who are struggling to get by.

The political conventions over, Joe Biden leads Donald Trump in the race for the White House by 50%-43%, a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll finds. That advantage narrowed from the 12-percentage-point edge he held in June.

The 50% tariff that the US imposed on steel and aluminum imports in June 2025 has scrambled trade flows, driven up prices and inspired some new investment. This is part one of a three-part series examining the effects one year later.