Coalition raises concerns about Amazon data center
The Richmond County Coalition for Justice and Black Empowerment raised concerns about pollution and environmental impacts from Amazon's planned data center in Rockingham. The Southern Environmental Law Center has challenged air permits for Amazon's 588 backup generators and Duke Energy's 57 temporary generators, while North Carolina regulators approved both permits with additional testing and monitoring requirements.
At a press conference in Rockingham, the Richmond County Coalition for Justice and Black Empowerment criticized Amazon's planned data center, citing potential air pollution, water and infrastructure impacts, and the project's effect on surrounding communities. Shaun Ingram, the coalition's co-founder, called for community benefits, independent environmental studies, clean-water protections and greater local control. Jasmine Washington, a staff attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the project's temporary and backup generators could operate continuously and create significant emissions during grid outages or before a permanent grid connection is available.
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed petitions on behalf of the coalition challenging air permits issued to Amazon and Duke Energy. The group argues the generators should be treated as a single emissions source because they will serve the same facility, potentially triggering stricter Clean Air Act requirements. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Air Quality approved permits for Amazon's 588 emergency engines and Duke Energy's 57 temporary bridge-power engines on Aug. 28, adding emissions testing and monitoring requirements.