Relating to the use of state water resources
HB 4832 creates a program to support data center development in West Virginia by requiring "high impact" data centers (those meeting specific water and energy use thresholds) to report their water needs and obtain environmental certification that their operations won't harm state water resources. The environmental agency can limit or stop water withdrawals if adverse impacts are likely, and must hold public hearings for these facilities. The bill mandates transparency through standardized reporting while exempting certain business information from public disclosure requests. This aims to balance economic growth from data centers with protection of local water resources.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 26, 2026
Last action Jan 26, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 26, 2026
Committee
To House Energy and Public Works
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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