The Southwest Virginia DELTA lab is spearheading the Data Center Ridge project on abandoned mine lands to build energy-intensive warehouses for data centers, aiming to create long-term jobs through new electricity generation sources. However, concerns about land stability and groundwater usage have been raised, leading to debates on environmental implications. While some advocate for nuclear energy, groups like Southwest Virginia Nuclear Watch prefer renewable sources. Discussions also involve deploying solar, nuclear, and potentially blue hydrogen to meet the project's electricity demand. The region's economy is shifting towards renewable energy, exploring options like small modular reactors and natural gas for hydrogen production. By utilizing already disturbed sites and abandoned mine lands, proponents aim for sustainable development while considering environmental conservation and economic revitalization.