Davie County passes one-year data center moratorium
Davie County, North Carolina, has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development. This decision followed a public meeting where residents expressed concerns about environmental impacts, water usage, and potential public health risks. A state-level bill regulating data centers is also pending in the North Carolina Senate.
Davie County in North Carolina has joined at least 12 other counties in the state by enacting a one-year moratorium on data center development. The Davie County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the measure after a packed public meeting, during which residents voiced concerns for nearly two hours.
Commissioner Mark Jones highlighted that Davie is one of North Carolina's smallest counties, stating that a 600-acre industrial campus, regardless of its purpose, is not suitable for rural Davie County. His comments were met with applause from residents, many of whom wore "Davie Against Data" T-shirts and cited worries about environmental impacts, water consumption, and potential public health risks associated with data centers.
This local action coincides with broader legislative efforts, as a bill aimed at regulating data center development across North Carolina is currently awaiting consideration in the State Senate.