Asheville moves $19M toward Helene home repair and issues data center moratorium
Asheville City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development, driven by concerns over water usage, electricity needs, and limited economic benefits. The pause will allow city staff to define data centers in ordinances and create appropriate zoning rules. Public engagement on regulations is expected to begin in the fall.
The Asheville City Council has unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center development, following a meeting on June 23. This temporary pause aims to allow city staff to formally define data centers within the city's development ordinances and establish appropriate zoning regulations. The approach mirrors a previous hotel moratorium in 2019.
The decision comes amidst significant community concerns regarding data centers' high water and electricity consumption, along with questions about their economic benefits for local residents. Speakers at the public hearing, including energy policy analyst Rob Campbell from EQ Research, highlighted worries that data center construction incentivizes new gas plants, potentially increasing rates and pollution for residential ratepayers.
Other communities in western North Carolina, such as Canton and Swain County, have also implemented similar moratoria. Chris Collins, the city's assistant director of planning and urban design, indicated that public engagement on the proposed data center regulations is expected to commence in the fall.