CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey is praising reports that artificial intelligence company Anthropic plans to spend roughly $45 billion over six years for computing capacity at Nscale’s flagship data‑center campus in West Virginia, calling the development a major validation of the state’s strategy to compete for AI investment and jobs.
According to Bloomberg, the reported agreement represents about 460 megawatts of computing capacity, with Nscale expected to deploy NVIDIA’s next‑generation Vera Rubin technology to support Anthropic’s expanding AI operations.
Morrisey said the deal reflects the state’s work to provide regulatory certainty for large‑scale energy and data‑center projects involving billions of dollars in private capital. He also highlighted provisions in recently signed legislation aimed at preventing infrastructure costs from being shifted onto residential and business ratepayers. Under the law, half of the revenue generated through the state’s microgrid framework is dedicated to reducing and eventually eliminating the state income tax, with additional funds directed to host counties and statewide infrastructure improvements.
“West Virginia has powered America for generations, and now we have an opportunity to power the AI revolution,” Morrisey said, adding that the state’s abundant energy reserves, available land and workforce position it to support rapidly growing industries.
The Governor said the state’s broader strategy goes beyond attracting individual data centers. His 50‑by‑50 energy plan aims to expand West Virginia’s power‑generation capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050, creating what he described as an ecosystem where energy production, artificial intelligence, advanced computing and manufacturing can grow together.
“This is bigger than one project,” Morrisey said. “We are building an environment where the industries of the future can thrive.”
