East Charlotte residents call for 150-day moratorium on data center
East Charlotte residents and activists are calling for a 150-day moratorium on data center construction due to environmental concerns like water usage, energy consumption, and heat islands. They urged the city council to approve the moratorium to allow staff time to develop regulations for hyperscale data centers.
East Charlotte residents and community activists, including Robert Dawkins, political director for Action NC, held a press conference at a 2.5 million-acre data center construction site on University City Boulevard. They called for the Charlotte City Council to approve a proposed 150-day moratorium on data center development during its June 8 meeting.
The call for a pause stems from significant environmental and public concerns regarding hyperscale data centers, which currently face "zero regulation around water use or energy consumption." Antoinette Mingo, a resident living near the construction, highlighted that data centers consume "enormous amounts of water," create "heat islands," and contribute to increased energy and water bills for residents.
Activists argue that imposing regulations after these "monstrosities" are approved is "almost impossible." They believe the moratorium is crucial to provide city staff with sufficient time to develop updated language for the Unified Development Ordinance, thereby addressing the environmental impacts and ensuring a better quality of life for residents.