Transparency concerns grow over Charlotte data center task force
Charlotte's newly formed data center task force has faced criticism for a perceived lack of transparency and public engagement after its initial meeting. City leaders and community advocates expressed concern over their exclusion from the process, despite the Charlotte City Council's recent approval of a 150-day moratorium on new data center applications aimed at gathering community input and developing comprehensive policy. Questions are now being raised regarding member selection and how to ensure public trust in the policy-making process.
Questions are mounting in Charlotte regarding the transparency and public engagement of a newly formed data center task force, which held its first meeting recently. WCNC Charlotte reported from the government center that some city leaders and community advocates feel excluded from the process, despite the task force's critical role in shaping future data center policies and safeguarding the city's infrastructure.
Just weeks prior, the Charlotte City Council had unanimously enacted a 150-day moratorium on new data center applications. The stated purpose of this pause was to allow the city sufficient time to gather community input, study relevant facts, and craft thoughtful policies. However, concerns emerged following the task force's inaugural meeting on Thursday night, specifically about who was invited to participate in formulating recommendations.
Council member JD Mosuera Aria stated that the city council only learned about the task force meeting through a Facebook post on the same day it convened. While supporting the initiative, he voiced strong concerns about what he termed a "lack of communication, transparency, and public engagement." He has formally requested an explanation from the city regarding the selection process for task force members and how residents from impacted communities can still contribute their perspectives. Similar concerns were echoed by the community advocacy group Action NC, which noted that its coalition partners, actively involved in the data center debate, were not included in the city's stakeholder group.
Council member Dimpo Ashmera is awaiting a response from the city manager on how public confidence can be restored and how the process can be ensured to remain transparent. The task force is scheduled to meet again later this month in Charlotte.