Proposed Ridgeline Data Center Sparks Concern Over West Virginia Wilderness and Night Skies
A planned 785‑megawatt power plant and data center in Tucker County threatens the Monongahela National Forest’s dark skies and recent ecological recovery.
Backdrop: A Forest of Stars
The Monongahela National Forest stretches across nearly a million acres of eastern West Virginia, encompassing ski slopes in Canaan Valley, the dark‑sky sites of Blackwater Falls and Spruce Knob, and the gateway towns of Davis and Thomas.
For the past seven months, Kaleb Skelton, his wife Ella, their two‑year‑old son Ryder, and dog Mabel have lived in a camper near Spruce Knob while Kaleb works as a seasonal campground manager.
On clear nights atop the state’s highest point, the family enjoys a “river of stars” that ranks among the few remaining pockets of darkness in the Eastern United States, drawing amateur astronomers who often set up telescopes at the campground.
Historical Echoes
Kim Williams, president of the Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia in Canaan Valley, recalls that the valley was once called “Stump Town” after early‑20th‑century clear‑cutting by logging companies stripped the landscape of first‑growth red spruce and eastern hemlock.
Subsequent coal operations left the nearby Blackwater River acidic, a legacy that still marks the environment.
Decades of natural regrowth, conservation and deliberate restoration have allowed the forest to begin healing, though the original giants will not return for generations.
New Development Proposal
Fundamental Data LLC, based in Purcellville, Virginia, proposes the Ridgeline data center and an accompanying roughly 785‑megawatt generating plant in Tucker County.
The company describes the project as “a large‑scale data and energy infrastructure project designed to support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and enterprise systems.”
Local Concerns
Many residents view the proposal as a modern counterpart to the extractive industries that once defined the region, fearing it could undermine recent ecological progress.
The prospect of large‑scale development in the heart of a landscape prized for tourism, outdoor recreation and its dark skies has sparked debate among community members.
What’s at Stake
The area’s dark‑sky reputation, highlighted by the nightly view from Spruce Knob, and its role as a hub for activities ranging from cross‑country skiing to stargazing, could be altered by the introduction of a major power plant and data center.
As the proposal moves forward, the tension between technological expansion and preservation of the region’s natural character remains a focal point of discussion.
