Alamance County approves data center moratorium | Greensboro to vote Tuesday
Alamance County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development following public concern over potential impacts. Greensboro City Council is expected to vote on a similar proposal, with residents calling for a longer pause to study impacts and establish regulations.
Local leaders in Alamance County and Greensboro are grappling with the rapid increase in data center proposals, prompting public concern and calls for a temporary halt on new projects. During a public comment period at the Alamance County Commissioners meeting, dozens of residents voiced their apprehension, citing issues such as heavy water and electricity consumption, constant noise, and broader environmental impacts. Despite some calls for a two-year pause, the Alamance County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center developments.
In Greensboro, similar concerns were raised at a City Council meeting, with many speakers advocating for a pause longer than two years. Residents emphasized that such a pause would provide necessary time to study the potential impacts of data centers, allowing leaders to develop comprehensive regulations regarding noise, water use, and facility location before further projects move forward. Greensboro City Council is scheduled to vote on their proposal, which aims to address these planning and regulatory needs in response to the growing demand for data storage driven by artificial intelligence.