Columbus County Considers a Moratorium on Data Centers
Columbus County, North Carolina, is considering a 90-120 day moratorium on data center development, with a public hearing scheduled for October 5. This action follows similar moratoriums in other North Carolina communities, driven by concerns over environmental impacts like water and energy consumption, and noise pollution. The county aims to investigate matters dealing with data centers and develop future regulations.
Columbus County, North Carolina, is the latest community to propose a moratorium on data center development. The Columbus County Board of Commissioners will host a public hearing on October 5 to discuss a proposed 90-day moratorium by County Attorney Amanda Prince, or a 120-day pause suggested by Commissioner Lavern Coleman. The purpose is to allow county staff to investigate issues related to data centers, despite currently having no active proposals within its borders.
This consideration comes as environmental advocates and other North Carolina communities express concerns over data centers' significant water and energy consumption, as well as noise pollution. Nearby communities such as the town of Newport in Carteret County and the city of Whiteville have already enacted similar moratoriums, with Whiteville's specifically aimed at developing zoning standards and mitigation methods.
Data centers are increasing across the U.S., with many new projects in rural areas. While some communities like Hamlet in Richmond County have made deals with companies such as Amazon despite local opposition, others, like Sanford in Lee County, are seeing proposals from developers like PointOne Data Centers. Research indicates a debate on the exact number of data centers in North Carolina, but a recent poll showed 53% of North Carolinians oppose data centers in their communities.
Experts like Frank Muraca of Power Brief emphasize the extreme site requirements for data centers, often along high-voltage power lines, and recommend that local governments develop specific rules. The discussion in Columbus County reflects a broader trend of local jurisdictions seeking to manage the impact of data center growth, which also includes concerns about potential PFAS emissions from cooling systems and a rapidly increasing share of national electricity consumption. The Data Center Coalition highlights economic benefits, noting 159,710 jobs and $6 billion contributed to North Carolina's economy in 2024.