Pulaski County Passes Ordinance to Regulate Data Centers
Pulaski County passed an ordinance to regulate data centers, largely due to the efforts of retired judge Wendell Griffen and public opposition. The legislation aims to put controls on a large data center project by AVAIO Digital in the Wrightsville area, which had previously faced criticism for its secrecy and potential impacts. This move is seen as a victory for local regulation over large industrial developments.
The Pulaski County Quorum Court recently passed legislation designed to regulate data centers within the county, a move spearheaded by retired circuit court judge Wendell Griffen. Griffen, the Democratic nominee for Pulaski County judge, described the 11-to-4 vote as a significant victory for local control over large industrial projects, specifically targeting a data center planned for the Wrightsville area.
Griffen's involvement began last year when a countywide zoning ordinance proposal from County Judge Barry Hyde, which allowed data centers as a permitted use in industrial zones, raised concerns about transparency and potential impacts. Despite previous state laws like Act 851 and Act 314, which aimed to streamline data center development, Griffen sought expertise from his former land-use law professor, Morton Gitelman, to draft counter-legislation. The ordinance was the culmination of months of effort by Griffen, other elected officials, and concerned citizens.
The data center project in question, by AVAIO Digital, was initially billed as 150 megawatts and plans to expand to 1 gigawatt. Public opposition, including efforts by private citizen Jessica Kivell to file Freedom of Information requests concerning power arrangements, played a crucial role in raising awareness. Justice of the Peace Julie Blackwood championed the legislation, which was eventually passed with an emergency clause, meaning it goes into effect almost immediately, and can override a potential veto from Judge Hyde.
Griffen, celebrating his 74th birthday, highlighted the process as an example of democracy working, emphasizing the ability of local government and citizens to hold major developers accountable and implement controls over projects like the one from AVAIO Digital.