Durham County adopts 9-month pause on data centers
Durham County commissioners have approved a nine-month moratorium on new or expanded data centers, following a public hearing where residents expressed concerns. This pause aligns with a similar moratorium by the City of Durham to coordinate regulatory approaches. The move addresses public concerns about data center land, power, and water consumption, though exemptions for smaller facilities were included.
Durham County commissioners voted 4-1 on Monday night to enact a nine-month moratorium on new or expanded data centers. The decision came after a public hearing where community members voiced concerns, particularly regarding exemptions included in the pause for smaller data centers.
This temporary halt, which lasts until May 2027 and applies to data centers under 100,000 square feet, follows a previous vote in June that amended the county's Unified Development Ordinance. The county intends to coordinate its regulatory approach with the City of Durham, which has also passed a similar moratorium.
The measure responds to growing public outrage in the Triangle region concerning the extensive land, power, and water consumed by data centers. While data center proponents highlight their contribution to tax revenue and job creation, opponents emphasize the need for more comprehensive regulation. The moratorium is designed as a temporary pause to allow city and county staff to research and consider new regulations.