Environmental, political advocates call for data center moratorium in NC
Environmental and political advocates gathered in Winston-Salem to urge North Carolina lawmakers to enact a two-year moratorium on hyperscale data center development. Forsyth County commissioners recently rejected a six-month moratorium, while Stokes County approved plans for a hyperscale center and lawmakers consider other regulations.
Representatives of Piedmont Environmental Alliance, Yadkin Riverkeeper, No Data Center Rural Hall and the Carolina Federation gathered in Winston-Salem to call for a two-year statewide pause on hyperscale data center development. Piedmont Environmental Alliance Executive Director Jamie Maier said communities need time to establish safeguards addressing potential environmental, health and economic impacts.
Forsyth County commissioners rejected a proposed six-month moratorium last month over legal concerns. In neighboring Stokes County, leaders approved plans for a hyperscale facility, citing its economic benefits. North Carolina lawmakers are considering data center regulations but are not currently pursuing a statewide moratorium, while at least 50 municipalities have paused development locally.