Durham to consider 2-year ban on data centers. What to know.

The Durham City Council is set to consider a proposed 24-month moratorium on new data center and cryptocurrency mining operations, following a brief discussion initiated by Councilman Nate Baker. The proposed ordinance aims to allow the city more time to study the environmental footprint and potential strains on local resources, such as the power grid and drinking water supply for 1.5 million people. This move by Durham mirrors recent actions in the region, with Apex Town Council and Orange County commissioners having already voted to implement one-year halts on data center development. Councilman Baker emphasized a "conservative, proactive" approach to address a rapidly evolving issue before it escalates within Durham. During a public comments section at the recent meeting, residents voiced strong support for the moratorium, citing concerns over high electricity and water consumption, limited local job growth, and the prioritization of housing over industrial data hubs. Mayor Leo Williams echoed these sentiments, noting that data centers extensively pull from community resources and compete with housing needs in an urban center. The City Council has scheduled a public hearing and a potential vote on the moratorium for its regular meeting in May. The article highlights that several other towns in North Carolina and Chatham County have also passed similar moratoriums.