DAVIS — Officials in Tucker County believe that Fundamental Data’s proposed 500-acre natural gas power plant just outside of the towns of Thomas and Davis will be used to power an onsite data center.

Fundamental Data’s proposed plant, which would be just two miles north of Davis and Thomas, is in close proximity to the Tucker County Landfill. The facility would include a series of natural gas and diesel power generators that would produce 1656MW of power, more than the nearby power plant at Mount Storm.

Tucker legislator Randy Smith, the West Virginia State Senate President and Lt. Governor, said this week that several tech companies have been looking to West Virginia to build data centers that are capable of producing their own power.

“There’s a lot of these data centers that are looking to West Virginia that have microgrids on them, they produce their own power,” Smith is quoted as saying in the Parsons Advocate. “They had about 11 counties that two or three of these companies were looking at. So it didn’t take me by complete surprise because I knew they were looking at different areas across the state.”

Although details on the project are scarce, the facility will not sell electricity to the grid, according to a Division of Air Quality permit application filed with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Officials believe the electricity would be used on-site for a data center.

Data centers typically contain huge banks of powerful computers that can be used to store digital information, mine cryptocurrency, and perform other computer-based operations. A great deal of power is needed to operate these facilities. 

Gov. Patrick Morrisey is a proponent of data centers and has championed legislation designed to speed their construction in the Mountain State. The state House of Delegates recently passed a bill, 88-12, that would allow companies to build their own sources of energy for data centers. The bill awaits action in the state Senate. 

Thomas Mayor Al Tomson has scheduled a public information town hall meeting for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Davis Fire Department. Thomas hopes to be able to provide the public with more information at the meeting, but said he is unsure if anyone from Fundamental Data will attend.

“I offered for them to come and attend the meeting, send me some written comments that I will read at the meeting, or call during the meeting,” said Tomson. “They haven’t decided if they are going to do any of those options or one of those options.”

“A more suitable site exists just eight miles down the road at the Mettiki coal mine, away from residential areas,” Tomson said in a written statement. “The current plan places the project less than a mile from homes in Davis, raising serious concerns about its impact on residents and the environment.”

“I support economic development in Tucker County and recognize the potential benefits this project cold bring, including job opportunities and much-needed tax revenue. However, its current proposed location poses significant risks to local communities, threatens our pristine natural resources and jeopardizes our delicate water supply,” Tomson wrote.

“Community input is essential, yet this project has moved forward without it. It’s time for an open dialogue — let’s work together to find a responsible solution that benefits Tucker County without compromising out natural and community assets,” he wrote.

According to the permit application, the facility will house three 10-million gallon diesel fuel storage tanks (66 feet tall and 180 feet in diameter) that would be used as a backup source of energy to operate the continuously run power plant. The entire perimeter of the facility would be enclosed by a security fence. 

Fundamental Data, which is based out of Purcellville, Virginia, has no information on its website (fundementaldata.com) other than the company’s name and a 2024 copyright notice.