EBCI passes indefinite moratorium on data centers

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Council recently passed an indefinite moratorium on data center development, aligning with similar actions taken by other North Carolina counties such as Swain and Haywood. This decision was significantly influenced by ongoing concerns regarding water quality and energy consumption, with council members and residents citing the impacts of existing data centers in the region and the xAI data center in Memphis. Resident Mary “Missy” Crowe, a lifelong resident of the Qualla Boundary and an organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network, played a key role in raising awareness about the environmental concerns associated with data centers. She hosted an information session to educate residents on these issues. Councilmember Shennelle Feather from the Yellow Hill community underscored the importance of protecting the tribe's natural resources, referencing a prior resolution that recognizes 790 miles of sacred rivers as “Long Person.” While some community members expressed reservations about the moratorium's potential impact on tribal sovereignty regarding data storage, the council clarified that the ordinance specifically excludes such facilities. The EBCI's action reflects a growing trend among local governments to pause data center development due to increasing resource strain and environmental worries, highlighting indigenous perspectives on environmental stewardship.