Public hearing set for nearly 650 diesel generators tied to Amazon data center
A public hearing is set for draft air permits related to Amazon's $10 billion data center campus in Richmond County, North Carolina, and Duke Energy's temporary power generators for the site. The project involves nearly 650 diesel generators, raising environmental concerns among some residents who are only now learning the scale of the development. State regulators maintain the project meets air quality requirements under current standards.
North Carolina regulators are holding a public hearing to discuss draft air permits for Amazon's substantial $10 billion data center campus in Richmond County. The project includes plans for 588 emergency backup diesel generators for Amazon's 21-building campus, complemented by 57 temporary bridge power generators from Duke Energy, totaling 645 diesel engines.
William Ingram, co-founder of the Richmond County Coalition for Justice and Black Empowerment, expressed surprise and concern among residents regarding the scale of the project, stating many believed it would be a distribution center. While Amazon estimates the generators will operate minimally for testing and emergencies, using Tier 4 emissions controls, residents and environmental groups question the impact of hundreds of diesel engines on a community already facing environmental challenges.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has concluded, following a technical review, that the project meets state and federal air quality requirements based on computer modeling. Richmond County officials, including Management Analyst and Economic Developer Martie Butler, assert the county followed state law and supports DEQ's professional review process. The public hearing, held in Rockingham, allows residents to submit comments before DEQ makes a final permitting decision.