Poll: NC adults want more curbs on data centers, fewer on marijuana. Lawmakers are doing otherwise
A WRAL/WSOC poll found that only 6% of North Carolina adults support encouraging unrestricted data center development, while many respondents favor requiring data centers to pay the full cost of their energy, water and infrastructure use. State lawmakers have considered tighter regulations, but those efforts did not become law, and Duke Energy is seeking approval for special billing rules for large electricity users.
A new WRAL/WSOC poll found that North Carolina voters are broadly dissatisfied with the state’s permissive approach to data center development. Only 6% supported encouraging more development without additional restrictions, while 37% favored allowing data centers only if they cover the full costs of the energy, water and infrastructure they use. Forty-two percent opposed additional development or supported local moratoriums.
State lawmakers debated requirements covering electricity and infrastructure costs, siting, ownership, water consumption and local incentives, but the proposals stalled after passing the House without receiving a Senate vote. Gov. Josh Stein has also called for reducing data center tax incentives. Separately, Duke Energy has proposed a large-load tariff requiring upfront payments, long-term contracts and minimum bills for major electricity users; the North Carolina Utilities Commission must approve the plan.