Charlotte could extend data center moratorium under new proposal
Charlotte city staff proposed extending a five-month moratorium on new data center construction, which is set to expire in November. This extension is needed to allow more time to consult experts and develop comprehensive policies. The City Council committee unanimously advanced the recommendation, with a full council vote pending.
The Charlotte City Council committee has unanimously recommended extending the city's five-month moratorium on new data center construction, which is slated to expire in November. City staff, led by Deputy City Manager Alyson Craig, stated they require more time to consult experts and develop policies regarding data center development.
The initial 150-day moratorium was implemented on June 8 due to mounting community pressure, with residents expressing concerns about data centers' proximity to homes, potential environmental harm, and increased water and electric bills. A 19-person community task force, formed in August, recommended the extension and suggested new regulations.
Key recommendations from the task force include requiring detailed grid and water capacity verification before rezoning, mandating closed-loop cooling systems where feasible, establishing specific sound decibel limits with strong penalties, and implementing mandatory bi-annual water and energy reporting. Charlotte plans to use the extended time to consider these ordinance changes and engage with developers, although Duke Energy declined participation in the task force and a recent town hall.