Democratic lawmaker says more needs to be done to rein in data centers
North Carolina State Senator Natalie Murdock is advocating for stronger state-level policies, including moratoriums, to regulate data center development across the state. She highlights concerns over the impact on residential areas and the distribution of tax revenue from power companies and data centers, which currently does not directly benefit local communities. Murdock emphasizes the need for bipartisan solutions to address these pressing issues.
North Carolina State Senator Natalie Murdock, representing Durham and Chatham counties, is calling for bipartisan solutions and stronger state-level action to address the impacts of data center development across North Carolina. Murdock stated that more needs to be done to "rein in data centers," emphasizing that the issue is the "issue of our time" and impacts residential areas.
She advocates for implementing "guardrails" and moratoriums to allow time for the development of effective policies. Murdock also highlighted a recent change in the state budget where power companies and data centers will no longer receive a tax break for their power. However, she noted that the revenue generated will remain with the state of North Carolina rather than going back to local communities like Person County, which she believes should have the right to utilize those funds to minimize local impacts.
Murdock expressed optimism that during the next legislative session, progress can be made on this issue, asserting that concerns about data center impacts are non-partisan.