Richmond County residents oppose Amazon data center generator permits | WSOC-TV
Richmond County residents protested at a public hearing against air quality permits for a new Amazon data center campus in Hamlet, North Carolina. Residents are concerned about noise and air pollution from nearly 650 proposed diesel generators. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing the permits, with a decision expected within 45 days.
Richmond County residents gathered for a public hearing to oppose air quality permits for a new Amazon data center campus in Hamlet, North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is currently reviewing two permits related to the construction, which is already underway. Residents voiced strong concerns about potential noise and air pollution from the proposed 650 diesel generators.
One permit, filed by Amazon, seeks approval to install nearly 600 diesel power generators for emergency backup. The second permit, filed by Duke Energy, requests modification of an existing permit to install nearly 60 generators to power the site until full operational capacity is reached. Luis Ballas, a resident who spoke at the hearing, highlighted the harmful effects of diesel motors on the community, especially for the elderly and those with illnesses.
Amazon contends that their campus would emit only a fraction of legally allowed pollution and points to community investments, such as funding a new fire substation and firefighter salaries for two years. However, residents remain unconvinced that the company will have a positive impact, fearing they are "pawns" in a game where a "billion-dollar company" will "corrupt" their community. Eli Brian reported that the DEQ's decision on these permits is expected within the next 45 days, and public comments will be accepted online.