WV HB4948

Establishes a mandatory 500-foot buffer zone between any data center construction or establishment and residences, schools, or houses of worship in West Virginia

Amends existing data center legislation (§5B-2-21A) that created the High Impact Data Center Program to encourage data center development in the state

The buffer zone requirement applies to all data centers, not just those classified as "high impact data centers" under the state's certification program

West Virginia's existing data center framework includes tax incentives, confidentiality protections for business information, and a certification process through the Department of Commerce