Charlotte leaders push for tighter data center rules

Charlotte and North Carolina state leaders are advocating for tighter regulations on data centers. State lawmakers in Raleigh are preparing legislation to eliminate tax breaks that encourage data center construction. Meanwhile, the Charlotte City Council is seeking stricter controls on resource consumption, particularly water and energy usage, for these facilities. Charlotte City Councilwoman Dimple Ajmira emphasized the urgent need for regulations, noting that data centers can consume as much power as thousands of homes and millions of gallons of water daily. She has requested a temporary moratorium on data centers near neighborhoods while full regulations are drafted, a process that could take up to six months. Her call follows a one-month delay requested by American Tower Corporation for its petition to rezone a 58-acre plot on Hood Road in East Charlotte for a 40,000 square foot data center, a delay prompted by community pushback. Governor Josh Stein has also weighed in, calling for an end to data center tax breaks due to concerns about increased energy consumption and rising power bills for residents. Representative Laura Budd of Mecklenburg County anticipates legislation addressing these concerns will be filed during the current session.