What are data centers? Here’s how they could affect your power bill

In Western North Carolina, data center development has become a significant local issue, leading to public hearings and moratoriums. The Town of Canton recently enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center construction following a public hearing in February that drew over 100 concerned citizens. Similarly, the neighboring town of Clyde is scheduled to hold a public hearing on April 16 to consider implementing its own data center moratorium. Community concerns primarily revolve around the substantial environmental and infrastructural impact of data centers, which consume vast amounts of electricity and water for cooling, leading to potential strain on local power grids and water supplies, as well as noise and air pollution. The article highlights that data centers accounted for 1.5% of global electricity use in 2024, a figure projected to double by 2030, with over 85% of North Carolina's anticipated new energy load growth attributed to these facilities. These local actions are unfolding amidst broader state-level discussions on regulation. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality conducts permit-by-permit environmental reviews, addressing issues like diesel generators and water use. Efforts by Democratic legislators to prohibit passing data center energy costs onto residential ratepayers failed in committee. Meanwhile, Duke Energy has proposed significant rate increases, citing the need for grid improvements partly due to the growing number of data centers, though the company states its contracts require large-load customers to pay the full costs of service. Haywood County residents will have opportunities to comment on both Clyde's proposed moratorium and Duke Energy's rate hike proposals at upcoming public hearings. State law permits local governments to implement moratoriums and update zoning laws, though a recent bill (SB382) limits local zoning authority by requiring property owner consent for changes that reduce land uses or density.