Fact check: NC Senate candidates Woodson Bradley, Stacie McGinn on data centers
Democratic incumbent Sen. Woodson Bradley and Republican challenger Stacie McGinn are debating data center development in North Carolina's Senate District 42. Bradley sponsored Senate Bill 844, which would allow local referendums and require state Utility Commission approval with environmental studies for large data centers. McGinn believes municipalities should decide individually, stressing that state taxpayers should not subsidize them.
North Carolina state Senate candidates Woodson Bradley, a Democratic incumbent, and Republican challenger Stacie McGinn are taking opposing stances on data center development ahead of their rematch for southeast Mecklenburg County's Senate District 42. The debate over large data center construction is prominent in the Charlotte area, with local governments implementing moratoriums and public polls indicating widespread opposition.
Sen. Bradley is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 844, a proposed piece of legislation that would grant municipalities and counties the authority to hold referendums on whether to approve or deny large-load data center projects. Additionally, the bill mandates that companies seeking to build such facilities obtain permission from the state Utilities Commission. This approval process would require an environmental impact study, mitigation of noise pollution, and proof that the data center would not lead to increased electricity costs for the public. Senate Bill 844 has remained in committee since April.
Her challenger, Stacie McGinn, expressed to The Charlotte Observer her belief that individual municipalities are best equipped to determine if data centers align with their community's interests. She emphasized the importance of considering factors such as utility rates, water consumption, noise, and property values. McGinn also highlighted that state taxpayers should not be burdened with subsidizing data centers, noting that the General Assembly has already moved to eliminate older tax incentives.