Anti-data center, energy expansion groups gather pre-commission meeting
Community and environmental groups gathered in Salisbury before a Rowan County Commission meeting to oppose a proposed data center and Duke Energy’s planned Buck Station expansion. Speakers cited risks to the Yadkin River, drinking water, energy affordability and local control, while calling for a two-year statewide data center moratorium.
Representatives of Down Home North Carolina, Yadkin Riverkeepers and other community organizations held a pre-meeting protest outside the Rowan County administrative building on Oct. 19. The groups opposed a proposed Rowan County data center, Duke Energy’s Buck Station expansion and related data center and energy projects in neighboring Davie and Davidson counties.
Yadkin Riverkeeper Nicole Eastman warned that data centers and fossil-fuel infrastructure could increase water consumption, stormwater runoff and pollution during drought conditions. Speakers including Down Home’s Mark Ortiz and Mike Pope, North Carolina AI Data Center Accountability Network representative Laura Love, and Catawba College sociologist Tim Clark also raised concerns about environmental impacts, noise, energy costs and local decision-making.
The groups urged support for a two-year statewide moratorium on data center development and restrictions preventing energy developers from shifting expansion costs to customers. They also opposed proposed state constitutional tax amendments, arguing the measures could reduce local governments’ authority over services and spending.