West Virginia Sets Data Center Certification Program to Speed Approvals

West Virginia has established a certification process for major data center projects to simplify approvals, taking an approach that differs from states where restrictions on development are more common.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey is leading the program. Investments from Nscale and Starwood Digital Ventures have accompanied the state’s data center push, though projects tied to those investments remain in development.

The expansion effort has also faced local opposition. Whether West Virginia’s approval approach will affect data center policy in other states remains uncertain.