CHARLESTON — Protesters rallied outside the West Virginia Department of Environment Protection building on Wednesday and Thursday while a hearing with the WVDEP Board continued, concerning a potential data center in Tucker County.

The company Fundamental Data is looking to construct its proposed Ridgeline Power Plant that would be in close proximity to the towns of Davis and Thomas. The 500-acre natural gas power plant would fuel a data center.

Representatives from Tucker United, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, and the Sierra Club filed an appeal with the West Virginia Air Quality Board regarding the state DEP’s handling of air quality permit applications for the proposed power plant.

A hearing on the appeal took place last month and led to this week’s evidentiary hearing, during which witnesses were called to the stand. The board ordered the parties to negotiate a protective order and allow attorneys and experts on both sides to review data.

One witness who testified on Wednesday was Dr. Amy Margolies, who, according to Tucker United’s social media, stated that despite her being a public health expert, “My expertise is in protecting my family.”

Margolies proceeded to explain her concerns that so many critical details needed to ensure the project is safe for her family and community are clouded in secrecy under the guise of “confidential business info,” the social media post stated.

Those testifying included both witnesses against the proposed plant as well as representatives from Fundamental Data.