Governor Patrick Morrisey named Chris Morris, former director of the state’s Data Economy Office, to lead a roughly 15-member council that will recommend a 20-year plan for West Virginia’s data center development.
The new West Virginia Advisory Council on Responsible Digital Manufacturing will propose statewide standards for where technology infrastructure can be built and a common process for identifying communities ready to accommodate it, according to a November 10 release from the governor’s office.
The plan’s priorities include protecting residential utility customers and water resources, addressing noise and road impacts and giving communities a voice in development decisions, the release states. That process is meant to make sure infrastructure capacity, local priorities and community impacts are weighed before projects move forward.
“Developers must be responsible for their own infrastructure, protect our water resources, and ensure West Virginia families aren’t left paying higher utility bills,” Morrisey said in the release.
The governor’s office said existing state and federal environmental protections will still apply. The proposed siting standards are intended to provide consistent requirements across the state while allowing for local conditions and concerns.
The council’s membership will draw from the data center industry, utilities, environmental groups, local governments, higher education, economic development, the Legislature and the public.
Morris previously directed the West Virginia Data Economy Office in the Department of Commerce. He is returning to his former position outside state government while taking on the council chairmanship.
In an interview with Secretary of State Kris Warner covered by My Buckhannon on April 26, Morris described his goal of creating a process to evaluate data center and microgrid proposals and recommend whether they should receive state designation.
“West Virginia has an opportunity to build this industry the right way, with clear expectations for developers and meaningful protections for the communities that host these projects. That means listening to local concerns, identifying potential problems early, and making sure development delivers real benefits to West Virginians,” Morris said in the governor’s release.
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Nick Preservati will temporarily take charge of the Data Economy Office, according to the release. Preservati also directs the West Virginia Office of Energy and will coordinate the office’s work with developers, utilities and state agencies.
The council will make recommendations only; the secretary of commerce will retain authority to certify projects.
Further appointments are due in the next few weeks, and the governor’s office expects the council to meet for the first time before the end of 2026.
Community Bulletin
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