News

The wave of new data center moratoriums continued in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse basins this week, as not one, not two, but THREE local governments advanced new data center moratoriums.

On Monday evening, Beaufort and Pitt counties both held public hearings to gather community input on whether the counties should move forward with data center moratoriums. Beaufort County voted 6-1 to adopt a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. The county will use the 12-month period to study the impacts of data centers on the community and local infrastructure and to develop a new zoning ordinance to regulate future proposals. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Hood Richardson, who argued that data centers provide economic opportunities. With Monday’s vote, Beaufort County is now the second county in the Tar basin to pass a data center moratorium (Edgecombe County passed a two-year data center moratorium in August).

While Pitt County did not vote on the adoption of a moratorium, the County Commission did vote to move forward with the process of drafting one. Fourteen people spoke in favor of Pitt County putting a protective pause in place to halt new data center development while the county studies potential environmental impacts and protections. 

In the Neuse Basin, the Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday evening to adopt its own six-month moratorium on the development of new data centers larger than 10,000 square feet or generating more than 5 MW of power. The shorter six-month timeline drew criticism from community members who expressed concern that it is not enough time to conduct the necessary research and responsibly develop the thoughtful policies needed to ensure data centers do not run amok in the city. Raleigh already has several small-scale data centers in operation.

Sound Rivers submitted comments highlighting concerns about the short duration of the moratorium, as well as the exemptions for smaller-scale projects that could have significant cumulative impacts. Council Member Christina Jones was the only member to vote against the moratorium, expressing concern that six months was not long enough. Raleigh’s six-month pause is shorter than those adopted by neighboring communities, including Wendell (12 months) and Cary (18 months) in Wake County, as well as Durham (12 months) and Durham County (9 months).

Data center moratoriums are intended to buy time for research and policy development so local governments can craft rules that protect communities and natural resources from a range of environmental and public health impacts. During a moratorium, a city or county can assess current and projected water demands associated with data center development; evaluate impacts on water and wastewater infrastructure and potential pollutants associated with different cooling systems; assess energy demand and potential impacts on taxpayer rates; identify potential impacts on nearby communities and environmental justice concerns; develop strong requirements for reporting and transparency around data center operations; and engage residents in developing appropriate environmental and community safeguards.

Read Sound Rivers Comment Letter to Raleigh City Council Members.

Like the work your Riverkeeping team is doing to advocate for your waterways? We love it! Donate today to support their work!