Data center activity in North Carolina
North Carolina's regulatory environment is burdened by extensive moratorium activity, with at least 89 enacted and only 11 rejected, one of the highest moratorium enactment totals in the Southeast. The zoning record offers some relief, with at least 19 approvals versus 5 denials, and opposition outcomes lean slightly positive, with at least 8 projects approved despite pushback and only 2 blocked. With 70 active companies and 788 clips, North Carolina remains a high-interest market driven by its position along the Southeast data center corridor, but the sheer volume of moratorium activity increasingly weighs on the regulatory outlook. Compared to neighboring Virginia, where the challenge is concentrated in zoning denials and blocked projects, North Carolina's friction manifests more through development pauses than outright project defeats.
North Carolina's regulatory environment is burdened by extensive moratorium activity, with at least 89 enacted and only 11 rejected, one of the highest moratorium enactment totals in the Southeast. The zoning record offers some relief, with at least 19 approvals versus 5 denials, and opposition outcomes lean slightly positive, with at least 8 projects approved despite pushback and only 2 blocked. With 70 active companies and 788 clips, North Carolina remains a high-interest market driven by its position along the Southeast data center corridor, but the sheer volume of moratorium activity increasingly weighs on the regulatory outlook. Compared to neighboring Virginia, where the challenge is concentrated in zoning denials and blocked projects, North Carolina's friction manifests more through development pauses than outright project defeats.
How is this scored?
North Carolina leaders are urging Duke Energy to protect customers from potential electricity rate hikes. These proposed increases are attributed to the growing energy demands of data centers in the state. The leaders are advocating for measures to mitigate the financial impact on residential and business customers.
The City of Statesville is currently considering a proposed moratorium on data center development. This action would temporarily pause the approval and construction of new data centers within the city's jurisdiction. The reasons for this consideration are being evaluated by city officials.
Cumberland County is hosting two community input sessions to gather public feedback on a proposed data center ordinance. These sessions will inform the development of a draft ordinance covering topics like water, power, noise, and zoning. No ordinance has been adopted yet, and public input will be shared with county boards.
North Carolina leaders, Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson, are urging Duke Energy to legally commit to a federal pledge regarding data center power. The pledge aims to ensure data centers generate their own power in a separate rate class, protecting residential customers from potential cost increases. This call comes after Duke Energy signed the federal Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson are challenging Duke Energy to make its federal Ratepayer Protection Pledge legally binding in the state. This pledge aims to ensure tech companies and data centers, rather than residents, bear the costs of new power infrastructure required for their operations. State officials are pushing for a formal "large load tariff" and a transparent "bring your own power generation" program to protect consumers from rising electricity bills.
This article's title indicates it will investigate which town within Brunswick County, North Carolina, has implemented the most stringent regulations concerning data center development. It focuses on comparing local government policies affecting the data center industry.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson have urged Duke Energy to make its commitment to a federal data center energy pledge legally binding. This push aims to ensure accountability and enforceability regarding the energy consumption of data centers in the state.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson are urging Duke Energy to make its voluntary federal pledge, which states that households and small businesses will not pay for data center electricity costs, legally binding within the state. This comes as Duke Energy proposes significant rate increases for customers across North Carolina, citing growing electricity demand from data centers and advanced manufacturing. Leaders are pushing for new rate structures through the North Carolina Utilities Commission to ensure data centers cover their full costs.
Jonathan Boyce has qualified as a write-in candidate for the Lee County Board of Commissioners, primarily motivated by community opposition to a proposed data center and its controversial rezoning near his home. He expressed that many residents feel deceived by how the data center rezoning was handled. Boyce aims to champion honesty and transparency in local government, while also planning to address broader community concerns beyond this single issue.
Data center development has become a significant issue in North Carolina's midterm elections, with candidates taking varying stances on proposed moratoriums. Over 30 NC localities have already enacted temporary bans due to widespread concerns about electricity rates, water usage, and environmental impact. Nationally, former President Donald Trump announced a pledge for data centers to cover electric costs.
North Carolina officials Stein and Jackson are calling on state regulators to ensure Duke Energy fulfills its federal pledge concerning data center development. The officials are emphasizing the need for regulatory oversight to hold the utility accountable for its commitments related to the rapidly expanding data center industry.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is holding a public hearing in Richmond County regarding air quality permit applications for an Amazon Web Services data center complex and a neighboring Duke Energy Progress facility. The Amazon campus will feature 21 data center buildings, requiring 588 diesel/renewable diesel-fired emergency generators. Duke Energy's application, amended multiple times, proposes temporary power solutions for AWS's commissioning activities.
The city of Hendersonville is advancing plans for a one-year moratorium on data center development. This action indicates the local government is taking steps towards temporarily halting new data center projects.
The Highlands Town Board is initiating discussions on data center development, driven by concerns about infrastructure strain and influenced by a nearby town's moratorium. The board unanimously approved drafting a 12-month moratorium on data centers, to be reviewed at a future meeting. They also plan to draft a resolution supporting a county-wide moratorium.
A developer has submitted a new rezoning application for an 1,800-acre site in Walnut Cove, North Carolina, intended for a data center. A community meeting is scheduled at the Walnut Cove Public Library to discuss opposition to data centers in the area.
The town of Hot Springs has officially enacted a moratorium on data center development. This decision signifies a halt on new data center projects within the town's jurisdiction. The action was reported by The Asheville Citizen Times.
Stokes County Commissioners rejected a proposed moratorium on data centers despite vocal public opposition. The board approved new zoning ordinances that introduce restrictions on future projects, strengthening protections that were not previously in place.
Greensboro City Council recently voted against a proposed moratorium on data center projects, but city leaders are continuing to evaluate the benefits and concerns of future development. Meanwhile, Forsyth County commissioners are set to vote on a data center rezoning proposal next week, which has faced significant community opposition.
Greensboro leaders held a work session to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of building data centers in the city. Key topics included economic impact, water and power usage, and environmental concerns. No decisions have been made, and further discussions are planned.
Greensboro City Council is holding work sessions to understand the impacts of data centers on infrastructure, electricity, and water use after recently voting against a moratorium. The goal is to gather facts before adopting new regulations and an ordinance to protect the community.