North Carolina

Data center activity in North Carolina

Regulatory Environment

+1 pts

North Carolina is one of the busiest markets in the Southeast, and its environment is defined by at least 193 enacted moratoriums, though at least 29 were rejected. Zoning outcomes favor development, with at least 34 approvals against ten denials, and at least 26 projects advanced despite opposition compared with 14 blocked. With at least 124 companies active, developer confidence remains high. North Carolina compares favorably to neighboring South Carolina, where opposition and litigation have proven more consequential.

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News Cliphendersondispatch.com·Henderson, Vance County, NC

Vance County Residents Weigh Benefits and Impacts of Proposed 900-Megawatt Data Center

A proposed 900-megawatt data center campus in Vance County is prompting residents to question its water use, electricity demands and broader effects on the rural community. The article explains that North Carolina's permit-choice law could allow the developer to proceed under earlier regulations, while noting the project's potential economic benefits and infrastructure demands.

opposition environmental electricity water government

10/23/2026

News ClipCardinal & Pine·NC

4 reasons North Carolina residents are pushing back on data centers

North Carolina residents and officials are raising concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers, including higher electricity and water costs, pollution, noise, environmental damage and limited government transparency. Opposition is particularly active in Stokes County, where residents are challenging Project Delta after county commissioners approved it despite planning board objections, while some officials and advocates support moratoriums and tighter regulation.

opposition environmental electricity water moratorium government

10/23/2026

News ClipSalisbury Post·Salisbury, Rowan County, NC

Anti-data center, energy expansion groups gather pre-commission meeting

Community and environmental groups gathered in Salisbury before a Rowan County Commission meeting to oppose a proposed data center and Duke Energy’s planned Buck Station expansion. Speakers cited risks to the Yadkin River, drinking water, energy affordability and local control, while calling for a two-year statewide data center moratorium.

opposition environmental water electricity moratorium government

10/23/2026

News ClipCityView NC·Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC

Fayetteville City Council Schedules Hearing on Proposed Data Center Moratorium

The Fayetteville City Council voted 6-4 to schedule a public hearing on a temporary data center construction moratorium and to direct staff to prepare a moratorium ordinance. The council also voted to continue refining regulations covering zoning, noise, setbacks, emissions, and power and water impacts, amid public protests and disagreement among council members.

moratorium opposition government zoning electricity water

10/22/2026

News ClipRaleigh News & Observer·Raleigh, Wake County, NC

Election 2026: What candidates for Raleigh mayor and council think of data centers

Raleigh adopted a six-month moratorium on new data center applications while city staff develop updated regulations addressing impacts such as water and electricity use, noise, air quality and neighborhood effects. Candidates for mayor and City Council offered differing views, with several supporting a longer moratorium or stricter limits and one incumbent opposing the measure.

moratorium government environmental electricity water

10/22/2026

News ClipThe Fayetteville Observer·Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC

Fayetteville Data Center Debate Highlights Trust Concerns

An opinion article discusses a trust deficit surrounding the data center debate in Fayetteville. No specific company, project decision, government action, or concrete opposition outcome is provided.

opposition

10/22/2026

News ClipThe Fayetteville Observer·Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC

Fayetteville sets stage for data center hearing, moratorium

Fayetteville is preparing for a public hearing concerning a proposed data center moratorium. The available information does not indicate that the moratorium has been enacted or provide details about specific data center projects.

moratorium government

10/21/2026

News ClipRaleigh News & Observer·Wake County, NC

Where Wake County commissioner candidates stand on data centers

Six candidates for Wake County commissioner offered differing views on whether the county should impose a temporary moratorium on large or hyperscale data centers. Candidates cited concerns about electricity demand, water consumption, noise, environmental effects and potential costs to residents, while others favored project-by-project review and existing planning protections.

moratorium environmental electricity water government

10/20/2026

News ClipNiner Times·NC

Opinion: North Carolina Consumers Should Not Pay for Data Centers’ Energy Costs

The opinion article argues that growing data center electricity demand is contributing to higher utility costs for North Carolina households. It criticizes Duke Energy’s proposed rate increases and calls for lawmakers to require large data center customers to pay the full cost of their energy use.

electricity opposition government

10/20/2026

News Clipreflector.com·Mount Airy, Surry County, NC

Data center hearing draws debate

A public hearing at Mount Airy City Hall drew community members and sparked debate over data center regulation. The hearing marks a shift from the area's previously low-key approach to regulating data centers.

opposition government

10/20/2026

News Clip2:09WITN-TV·Pitt County, NC

Pitt County to hold public hearing on data center moratorium

Pitt County plans to hold a public hearing on a proposed moratorium affecting data center development. The hearing will give residents and officials an opportunity to discuss whether development should be temporarily paused.

moratorium government announcement

10/20/2026

News Clipreflector.com·Pitt County, NC

Pitt commissioners set data center moratorium hearing for Nov. 16

The Pitt County Board of Commissioners unanimously scheduled a Nov. 16 public hearing on a proposal to impose a moratorium on data center development. The moratorium has been proposed but not yet adopted.

moratorium government

10/20/2026

News ClipWCTI·Pitt County, NC

Pitt County commissioners begin process for possible data center moratorium

Pitt County commissioners unanimously voted to begin considering a one-year moratorium on new data center development after residents raised concerns about potential community impacts. County staff will draft an ordinance, with public hearings and a final vote expected in November.

moratorium opposition government

10/20/2026

News ClipABC11 News·Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC

Fayetteville city council divided on proposed data center, schedules further hearings

Fayetteville City Council scheduled another public hearing and plans to revise a proposed moratorium related to a proposed data center. Residents voiced concerns about water use, noise, power demand, transparency and potential health impacts, while the council has not yet resolved whether to adopt the moratorium.

moratorium opposition government water electricity environmental

10/19/2026

News Clip1:53CBS 17·Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC

Fayetteville moves toward possible moratorium on data centers

Fayetteville is moving toward a possible moratorium on the construction of data centers within city limits. The description does not indicate whether the moratorium has been formally adopted.

moratorium government

10/19/2026

News ClipCBS 17·Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC

Fayetteville City Council votes to draft data center moratorium ordinance

The Fayetteville City Council voted to schedule a public hearing on a proposed data center moratorium and directed staff to draft the ordinance. The council also ordered updates to proposed data center regulations, while residents pressed for stronger protections related to water use, noise and proximity to homes.

moratorium government zoning opposition water

10/19/2026

News ClipCardinal & Pine·Raleigh, Wake County, NC

Raleigh could be forced to allow a new data center, despite moratorium

Raleigh City Council adopted a six-month moratorium on data center applications and permitting, but a court ruling in neighboring Chatham County could force the city to allow a proposed 100,000-square-foot Radius DC facility. The council is scheduled to discuss the ruling and its implications for the project during upcoming work sessions.

moratorium legal government

10/19/2026

News ClipWilmington Star-News·Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC

Duke, tech companies reach deal on power-hungry projects like data centers

Duke Energy and technology companies have reached an agreement addressing the electricity demands of power-intensive projects, including data centers. The available article information does not provide details about the projects, participating technology companies, or specific terms of the deal.

electricity announcement

10/19/2026

News ClipWilmington Star-News·NC

Tech giants may pay more for NC power grid upgrades

Duke Energy and major technology companies have proposed a North Carolina settlement requiring large electricity users, including data center developers, to pay upfront for dedicated grid upgrades. State officials and environmental groups support shifting costs away from households but want stronger transparency, clean-energy requirements and ratepayer protections before the Utilities Commission approves the deal.

electricity government environmental announcement

Amazon Meta Google Microsoft

10/19/2026

News Clipreflector.com·Pitt County, NC

Pitt commissioners to hear details on current data center rules

Pitt County planning staff will brief county commissioners on the existing data center ordinance as residents push for a moratorium on new facilities in unincorporated areas. The board may schedule a public hearing on the proposed moratorium for Nov. 16.

moratorium government zoning opposition

10/19/2026