Republican Senate candidate in southern Wake County backs data center moratorium
Republican North Carolina Senate candidate Shirley Johnson supports a moratorium on new data centers until the state develops a comprehensive plan. She cited concerns about data centers' energy and infrastructure demands potentially increasing utility costs for residents and taxpayers.
Shirley Johnson, a Republican candidate challenging incumbent Democratic state Sen. Sydney Batch in North Carolina Senate District 17, said she supports a moratorium on new data centers. The district includes southern Wake County.
Johnson said data centers can create economic activity and construction jobs but argued that their long-term energy and infrastructure demands could raise utility costs for families and taxpayers. She called for a comprehensive state plan requiring data centers to pay their fair share rather than shifting costs to residents.