Infrastructure

West Virginia Wants To Use Data Centers To Eliminate Its Income Tax

The state's plan to attract large infrastructure projects is full of administrative hurdles and concedes many of the bad arguments made by NIMBY critics.

Tosin Akintola | 8.17.2026 5:25 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google

Media Contact & Reprint Requests

(Photo: West Virginia Office of the Governor.)

West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey is trying to head off public opposition to hyperscale data centers in his state by proposing a 20-year development framework that he hopes will revitalize West Virginia's economy while addressing residents' concerns.

Earlier this month, Morrisey unveiled the West Virginia Responsible Data Center Development Plan. The plan, built around seven core principles, sensibly holds data center developers and utilities responsible for covering "electrical infrastructure upgrades and energy capacity needs." It also requires them to "build, bring, or procure sufficient power resources" needed for their projects. To mitigate concerns over water use, West Virginia will "actively recruit projects........

© Reason.com