Mooresville NC Approves 12-Month Data Center Moratorium
Mooresville commissioners unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications while the town studies potential effects on electricity, water supplies, siting and the environment. The pause reflects a broader wave of data center moratoriums across North Carolina, while a separate Chatham County court case involving developer Eco TIP West resulted in a ruling for the developer.
Mooresville commissioners unanimously approved an immediate 12-month freeze on new data center applications. Commissioner Gary West said the town needs time to determine whether to allow the facilities and, if so, what conditions should govern their energy use, water consumption, locations and environmental impacts.
The moratorium is part of a broader trend across North Carolina, where dozens of municipalities have paused data center development. Statesville, Waxhaw, Charlotte and Apex have adopted or extended similar measures, while state law sets requirements for the problems, approvals and work plans covered by a moratorium.
The article also notes a September ruling by a North Carolina Superior Court judge in favor of Eco TIP West in litigation over a Chatham County moratorium that halted the developer's proposed 750-megawatt data center. Separately, the North Carolina Collaboratory and NC State University are studying water-basin and community impacts, while projected electricity demand growth from Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress adds to local concerns.