Will backlash to data centers, Flock cameras impact NC’s U.S. Senate race?
The spread of data centers and Flock cameras is a contentious issue in North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, with both Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley addressing the backlash. Many municipalities, including Charlotte, have enacted temporary moratoriums on new data centers due to environmental and energy concerns. While candidates have differing views, political analysts are skeptical it will be a decisive election issue.
The rapid expansion of large-scale data centers and the deployment of Flock surveillance cameras have ignited significant opposition across North Carolina, prompting both U.S. Senate candidates, Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley, to articulate their positions on these issues.
Numerous North Carolina municipalities, including the City of Charlotte, have already implemented temporary moratoriums on new data center construction as they deliberate long-term regulatory frameworks. Public sentiment, as indicated by a July Elon University poll, shows 53% of North Carolinians oppose a large data center in their community, with opposition cutting across demographics but being more pronounced among Democrats and Independents.
Governor Cooper's campaign platform pledges to ensure data centers bear the full cost of their power consumption to prevent price increases for consumers and emphasizes local communities' final say on new projects, supporting local moratoriums. Conversely, former RNC Chairman Whatley has suggested that data center opposition is being "ginned up," but also advocates for ensuring developments do not negatively impact communities regarding water, traffic, and electricity, asserting that data centers should "pay their own way" without special subsidies.
Despite the emotional intensity of these issues for those directly affected, Elon University political science professor Jason Husser doubts they will be pivotal in the U.S. Senate race. He suggests that while there's bipartisan concern, the issues are unlikely to sway enough voters to significantly alter the outcome, especially given Cooper's current lead.