Charlotte City Council Extends Data Center Moratorium to 2027
Charlotte City Council unanimously extended the city’s data center moratorium until Oct. 18, 2027. The extension gives officials more time to study data center impacts, review ordinances and develop regulations, while residents and council members continue to raise concerns about noise, pollution, energy use and water consumption.
The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously to extend the city’s data center moratorium until Oct. 18, 2027, nearly a year beyond its original expiration date. The pause, initially approved in June for 150 days, does not affect data center projects that had already received approval.
The extension is intended to give city leaders time to review existing ordinances, consider new safeguards and await potential state guidance. Council members Renee Johnson and Kimberly Owens cited concerns about the effects of large facilities near residential areas, including infrastructure strain, energy costs, water use, pollution and noise. North Carolina lawmakers are also considering bills addressing data centers’ environmental impacts, electric costs and transparency.