Durham residents push for stricter rules against data centers
Durham County Commissioners enacted a nine-month moratorium on new and expanded data centers, but residents are pushing for stricter rules. Members of the Stop Data Centers and Drone Coalition are protesting an exception that allows facilities up to 100,000 square feet. They argue that operations of that size consume too much energy.
Durham County residents are advocating for more stringent regulations against data centers, specifically challenging an exception within a recently approved moratorium. Last month, Durham County Commissioners enacted a nine-month moratorium on the construction of new and expanded data centers. However, this moratorium includes an exception allowing facilities up to 100,000 square feet.
Members of the Stop Data Centers and Drone Coalition are actively protesting this exception. At a recent work session, they urged commissioners to reconsider, citing concerns about excessive energy consumption. Residents highlighted that a data center of that size could use up to 100 megawatts, equivalent to the energy needs of 80,000 to 200,000 homes. The county states the temporary moratorium is intended to provide leaders with time to review the situation.