Thank you for the story clarifying that the proposed data center in Tucker County was introduced on the last day to introduce legislation in the chamber, a permit application was submitted hours later, the bill was approved within days with all tax revenue going to the state rather than local governments.

Local governments, according to the bill, are prohibited from restricting noise, lighting, or land use on such projects. And local officials, such as the mayor of Davis, were never consulted.

The number of combustion turbines wasn’t specified, types of air pollution control devices weren’t listed, and no sources and types of fuel were identified, details the company considered confidential.

Local communities had already lost their oversight of such projects by the time they heard about it.

If Gov. Morrisey honestly thinks this benefits the citizens of Tucker County, it certainly seems peculiar to have utilized so much sleight of hand.

Carol Denney

Elkins