Orange County Commissioners draft data center regulations for when one-year moratorium lifts
Orange County is drafting regulations ahead of the expiration of its one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers. The proposed framework would allow small-scale facilities but continue prohibiting large-scale centers in unincorporated areas, with potential requirements involving public utilities, sound studies, electricity, water and environmental impacts.
Orange County, North Carolina, is preparing data center regulations after imposing a one-year moratorium on large-scale facilities in April. County planning officials expect to release a draft for public review by November. The current proposal would allow small-scale data centers, including some business server rooms, while continuing to prohibit large-scale facilities in the county’s unincorporated areas outside Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and Mebane.
The Planning Board, county staff and attorneys will review the rules before the board recommends them to the Board of County Commissioners. Officials are still determining facility size thresholds and possible requirements for public water and sewer service, sound studies, and limits related to electricity and water use. The county is also considering environmental and community impacts, while additional state legislation could impose broader regulations or a two-year statewide moratorium on large-scale data centers.