Whiteville Approves 12-Month Moratorium on New Data Centers, Crypto Mining
The Whiteville City Council has enacted a 12-month moratorium on new data centers and cryptocurrency mining, effective immediately. This temporary pause will allow city staff to research potential impacts on local resources and public health, and to develop new zoning regulations, as current laws do not define or regulate these facilities.
The Whiteville City Council in North Carolina has unanimously approved an immediate 12-month moratorium on new data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations within city limits. The temporary ban, which runs from August 25, 2026, until August 25, 2027, or until new zoning ordinances are adopted, aims to give city staff time to study the potential impacts of these high-tech facilities on local resources and public health.
Whiteville Mayor Terry Mann highlighted concerns about the substantial electricity and water demands of data centers, questioning their potential strain on existing resources. City agenda documents also cited worries about increased greenhouse gas emissions, pollutant exposure from backup diesel generators, electronic waste, and severe noise pollution for residents if unregulated growth were to occur.
Despite the absence of active data center proposals in Whiteville, Mayor Mann emphasized the proactive nature of the moratorium. City staff will spend the coming year researching how other North Carolina municipalities regulate similar facilities and developing comprehensive zoning standards, including regulations for location, height, size, density, and proximity to residential areas.
During a public hearing, Cecil Nance, the sole community speaker, voiced concerns that the moratorium could impede economic opportunities and delay the arrival of high-tech industries to Columbus County. Despite this, he expressed hope that the city's study would ultimately pave the way for technology hubs in the area.