Charlotte protesters urge data center moratorium at City Council meeting
Protesters gathered outside the Charlotte Government Center to urge the City Council to adopt a 150-day moratorium on data center construction. Residents expressed concerns about the environmental impact of data centers and called for reforms before approving more facilities. The City Council is considering the moratorium and will vote on June 8th.
Residents of Charlotte, North Carolina, protested outside the Government Center, urging the City Council to implement a 150-day moratorium on new data center developments. The protest comes after pushback from East Charlotte residents near a data center currently under construction.
Demonstrators presented a motion for a temporary moratorium to allow the city time to study the impact of data centers and implement protections to mitigate negative effects. They specifically called for racial equity considerations, noise tests with legal limitations, frequent water quality testing, and rate protections for residents living near these facilities.
While community members largely expressed opposition, some voiced support for data centers, citing their benefits and emphasizing the need for a balance. A City Council member stated a commitment to prioritizing "people over profit." The Charlotte City Council opened a public hearing on the proposed 150-day moratorium and is scheduled to make a vote on the matter on June 8th.