Public hearing scheduled over Richmond County data center noise concerns
Richmond County, N.C., residents protested planned data center developments by Amazon and Digital Realty ahead of a state public hearing. Concerns center on noise and air pollution from proposed diesel generators for Amazon's project. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is considering air quality permits for the facilities.
Richmond County, North Carolina, residents gathered to protest planned data center developments by Amazon and Digital Realty, citing significant concerns over potential noise and air pollution. The demonstration took place ahead of a public hearing with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) regarding air quality permits for a massive data complex.
The Amazon project, a central point of contention, includes plans for 588 diesel-powered generators to serve as emergency backup. Additionally, Duke Energy has sought a temporary permit to operate 57 generators continuously for a year during the construction phase until the permanent power system is operational. Residents, including protest organizer Russ Fincham and six-generation local Krystal Cobbler, voiced fears about the industrialization of their rural community and the expected noise impact, which Cobbler anticipates will be