The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Jefferson County
Strongly Pro-Data Center Policies
West Virginia protects certified, qualifying data centers—generally those meeting a 90-megawatt threshold—from many local zoning and permitting rules, while offering state development help. They remain subject to state building codes, taxes, and applicable fees.
Rating and summary from West Virginia statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Jefferson County.
Specific to Jefferson County only.
failed · County measureThis county guardrails document recommends data-center-specific controls concerning surface-water sourcing, groundwater protection, low-water cooling, water-management plans, discharge monitoring, air emissions, backup power, dark-sky lighting, stormwater, inspections, financial assurance, and first-responder safety.Jefferson County Good Neighbor Data Center Guardrails (October 1, 2026)
What this means
The proposal would make development and operation substantially harder by prohibiting direct groundwater withdrawals, requiring water and safety plans, and setting large setbacks and noise limits. These rules could sharply limit suitable sites and add significant costs, although they do not ban data centers outright.
Sources
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