West Virginia’s Policy Signals for Scalable Compute and Industrial Reuse
January marked an important moment for West Virginia’s energy and technology landscape, with legislative and policy developments pointing toward a growing role for digital infrastructure, high-performance compute, and modern financial systems. For Steel Valley Bitcoin, these signals matter because they directly shape the environment in which energy-powered compute, data centers, and next-generation digital networks can be developed across the state.
Policy Momentum at the State Level
This month, the West Virginia House of Delegates adopted House Concurrent Resolution 4 (HCR 4), establishing a formal framework to study and coordinate around emerging technologies and their economic implications. The resolution reflects a recognition that digital infrastructure, from data centers and blockchain systems to artificial intelligence and advanced compute, is increasingly tied to energy planning, workforce development, and long-term competitiveness.
In parallel, House Bill 4008 (HB 4008) advanced with a focus on how large-scale compute and data center infrastructure can function as flexible loads on the power grid. This concept is especially relevant in an energy-rich state like West Virginia, where reliable and scalable power can be paired with modern industrial reuse to attract new forms of investment.
For developers and operators, this policy direction helps clarify how the state views high-density power users as part of its broader economic strategy, rather than as standalone or isolated projects.
Federal Developments and Market Clarity
At the federal level, West Virginia’s U.S. Senator Jim Justice played a role in the Senate Agriculture Committee’s passage of a markup advancing the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act . While federal legislation operates on a separate track from state law, these developments are closely watched by state policymakers and industry participants alike.
The Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act aims to create a clear federal framework for regulating crypto markets by treating many digital assets as “digital commodities” and putting their spot trading primarily under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). It would require crypto exchanges, brokers, dealers, and custodians to register with the CFTC, follow rules on customer fund segregation, disclosures, conflicts of interest, and record-keeping, and meet basic consumer-protection standards. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the bill in a 12–11 party-line vote, a historic first step for federal crypto market structure legislation.
For West Virginia, federal clarity can complement state-level efforts by:
Lowering barriers for companies considering in-state investment
Supporting innovation in areas such as tokenized U.S. Treasuries, digital securities, and payment systems
Providing a more stable policy environment for entrepreneurs and financial institutions
What This Means for Energy-Powered Compute
Steel Valley Bitcoin works at the intersection of energy assets and digital infrastructure, helping identify and develop sites where power, land, and connectivity can support high-density compute. The developments in January reinforce several trends we see on the ground:
Growing interest in repurposing former industrial and energy sites for data centers and compute facilities
Increased attention to grid integration, transmission access, and substation proximity
A focus on scalable, phased development rather than one-off deployments
These factors are shaping how operators evaluate locations and how communities position themselves to attract long-term, capital-intensive projects.
Education and Local Engagement
Policy momentum is only as strong as the local understanding that supports it. Throughout January, Steel Valley Bitcoin continued to engage with county officials, economic development leaders, and community partners to discuss how digital infrastructure and blockchain-based systems are already being used in real-world financial and industrial contexts.
From tokenized U.S. Treasuries and digital securities to secure data verification and energy-backed compute, the goal is to move beyond buzzwords and provide practical insight into how these technologies intersect with jobs, tax base growth, and regional development.
Looking Ahead
January’s legislative and policy activity highlights a broader shift in how West Virginia is positioning itself within the national energy and technology economy. As digital infrastructure becomes a core component of industrial strategy, the state’s combination of energy resources, available land, and growing policy attention creates new opportunities for communities willing to engage.
Steel Valley Bitcoin will continue working with developers, local leaders, and partners across the region to translate this momentum into projects that deliver durable economic value and long-term infrastructure investment for the Ohio River Valley and beyond.