Apex approves yearlong pause on data-center projects: 'Not interested'

The Apex Town Council in North Carolina recently held a public hearing regarding a proposed moratorium on data center developments, culminating in a unanimous vote to enact a 12-month temporary moratorium. This decision covers data centers, data processing facilities, and cryptocurrency mining operations. The moratorium was driven by intense community opposition and concerns from residents regarding the high water and energy demands of data centers. These concerns have been ongoing, with families expressing a strong "not in our backyard" sentiment from the outset. A previously proposed data center project off US1 and Sharon Harris Road was withdrawn by developers last month due to this significant opposition. During the council meeting, residents passionately voiced their concerns, emphasizing the need to protect the character of Apex and Wake County. Mayor Jack Gilbert explicitly stated his lack of interest in data centers in Apex, highlighting the need to consider the "totality of circumstances" and potential impacts, despite potential revenue benefits. The town plans to use the moratorium period to study the impacts and usage of data centers. This moratorium will take effect two weeks from the vote and continue for a year.