Durham County approves a nine-month moratorium on large data centers

Durham County commissioners voted 4-1 to enact a nine-month moratorium on new large-scale data centers, mirroring a similar pause by the city of Durham until May 2027. The decision followed widespread concerns from residents and Commissioner Nida Allam regarding the environmental impact of data centers, including their high water and energy consumption, noise pollution, and potential for air and water contamination. Commissioner Allam, however, voted against the measure because it exempted smaller data centers, arguing that a delay for companies is monetary while the impact on public health and financial stability is lifelong.

The moratorium applies to data centers exceeding 100,000 square feet, those not using closed-loop cooling systems, or those employing diesel backup generators. Hyperscale operators like Apple, Meta, and Google would typically fall under these restrictions. Commissioner Larissa Williamson highlighted the logistical challenges in enforcing compliance with electrical usage limits for data center operators, noting the county's lack of enforcement powers in this area. The pause aims to provide the commissioners with time to formulate effective responses to future data center proposals and ensure regulatory compliance.