Plans for a data center threaten scenic wilderness and dark skies in West Virginia

NPR News reports: White Grass Ski Touring Center in Canaan Valley , W.Va., is celebrated for its unusually curvy and hilly cross-country skiing terrain. Chris Jackson for NPR hide caption DAVIS, W.Va. — Stretching nearly a million acres through the rugged mountains of eastern West Virginia, the Monongahela National Forest links some of the state's best known natural attractions. The vast area ranges from the ski slopes of Canaan Valley to the dark skies of Blackwater Falls and Spruce Knob and includes the small towns of Davis and Thomas that serve as gateways for visitors to the region.

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WilluChill News DeskWest Virginia · Published Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTCUpdated Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 9:22 AM UTC

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