Cumberland Commissioners Schedule Hearing on Data Center Moratorium

Cumberland County Commissioners voted 6-0 to schedule a public hearing on a potential moratorium on data center construction for May 18. This decision comes amidst growing public concern in the Fayetteville area regarding the environmental impact of data centers, specifically their high consumption of electricity and water, and noise pollution from cooling systems. Residents have been actively pressuring city and county governments for temporary or permanent bans on these facilities, advocating for a moratorium lasting one to three years. Following the hearing, commissioners anticipate a vote on the moratorium. County Attorney Rick Moorefield is tasked with gathering information on similar ordinances enacted in other communities to help draft the local text. Additionally, the commissioners unanimously voted for the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board to collaborate with the City of Fayetteville in developing comprehensive ordinances to regulate data centers. Chair Kirk deViere raised concerns about the county's current vulnerability to new permit applications before a moratorium can be enacted, but Moorefield confirmed state law requires public notification and a hearing, preventing a quick ban. Commissioner Henry Tyson emphasized the need to carefully differentiate true data centers from other businesses that might have data storage as a secondary function.