Amazon, Duke Energy get green light for Richmond County generators at data center
Amazon and Duke Energy received approval from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to operate over 600 diesel generators for a data center in Richmond County. This decision came despite local residents voicing concerns about potential noise and pollution impacts from the project. The DEQ is requiring additional monitoring due to these concerns.
Amazon and Duke Energy have secured air permits from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to operate more than 600 diesel generators for a new data center campus in Richmond County. The approval, granted on Friday, allows Amazon to build 588 backup generators and Duke Energy to run 57 generators continuously until the permanent power source is fully operational.
This decision was made despite significant local opposition. Residents at previous hearings voiced concerns regarding the potential noise and pollution impacts from such a large number of generators. In response to these concerns, the DEQ has mandated additional monitoring for the generators to mitigate environmental risks.