McInnis, Taylor outline priorities in race for NC Senate District 21
North Carolina Senate candidates Tom McInnis and Paul Taylor discussed proposed safeguards for data centers in a questionnaire for Cumberland County voters. Both supported limiting public costs and protecting residents, while Taylor called for mandatory independent studies of data centers’ water use, energy demand, environmental effects and infrastructure impacts.
Republican incumbent Tom McInnis and Democratic challenger Paul Taylor outlined their priorities in the race for North Carolina Senate District 21, which includes Moore County and part of Cumberland County. The candidates discussed growth, land use, infrastructure and community protections ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Asked about data center development, McInnis said facilities should be located in appropriately designated industrial areas, should not receive excessive tax breaks or harm residents and natural resources, and should not shift infrastructure or utility costs to taxpayers. Taylor proposed a statewide requirement for independent impact studies covering water demand, energy use, noise, environmental risks, public health and long-term economic effects, with developers paying for studies and mitigation. Neither candidate described a specific data center project or a regulation already adopted by the state.