To create a buffer zone between a data center and residence, school or house of worship

HB 4948 would require new data center construction or establishment in West Virginia to maintain a minimum 500-foot buffer zone from residences, schools, or houses of worship. This rule applies to planning and building new facilities, directly affecting developers seeking to locate data centers near these sensitive locations. The bill does not apply to existing data centers but sets a new siting standard for future projects. It aims to balance data center development with community proximity concerns without altering operational requirements for current facilities.