Alamance considers data center moratorium
Alamance County, North Carolina, is considering a moratorium on new data center development to study potential impacts, particularly regarding water and electricity consumption, and to develop regulations. The Alamance County Board of Commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing on the issue in August before determining the length of any proposed moratorium.
The Alamance County Board of Commissioners is evaluating a proposal to enact a temporary moratorium on new data center developments. This consideration follows similar actions by other communities responding to public concerns about data center impacts, though Alamance County has not yet received any specific proposals.
During a recent meeting, Commissioner Sam Powell highlighted worries over the high water and electricity consumption of data centers, noting that some can use millions of gallons of water daily and hundreds of megawatts of electricity. Vice Chair Steve Carter and Commissioner Ed Priola supported the moratorium idea to allow time for research and to establish protective regulations for citizens and the county.
Despite acknowledging the potential for significant tax revenue from such developments, the commissioners prioritized studying the impacts. They agreed to hold a public hearing on the proposed moratorium at their first August meeting, where they will also decide its potential duration.