News

A data center proposed for Kingsboro Business Park is off the table.

Energy Storage Solutions, LLC withdrew its offer this week to purchase more than 100 acres in the Edgecombe County industrial park.

“It’s rare that we get good news, but this certainly is,” said Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman. “it’s really good to get confirmation that they’ve withdrawn their offer, and they’re no longer considering Kingsboro for their project anymore.”

Katey credits Edgecombe County community members with the news.

“The withdrawn offer is all thanks to a group of active community members, which has since been formalized into the grassroots organization Edgecombe Neighbors for Data Center Accountability, who drew the public and elected officials’ attention to concerns over hyperscale data centers coming to their community,” she said. “I’m really glad to have been a small part of that.”

Last year, Edgecombe County residents rallied together after the proposal for the 300-megawatt data center was made public. In response, Edgecombe County’s Board of Commissioners created a survey to get public opinion, as well as an advisory group made up of stakeholders and subject-matter experts. Katey, as Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper, was part of the advisory group that presented its findings to commissioners at the June 25 meeting. The advisory group’s main recommendation was a ban on data-center development in the county.

The county will instead consider a 24-month moratorium at the board’s Aug. 3 meeting.

“The Board Council appeared receptive to the moratorium, because it will give them time to do their research and put protections in place in their development ordinance,” Katey said.

Concerns about data centers include massive energy and water consumption that strain local infrastructure, depletion of water resources particularly in areas hit by drought, noise and air- and water-quality impacts, all of which have led to some municipalities and counties across North Carolina to declare moratoriums on their construction until more information about impacts can be learned.

Katey said she’s counting on Edgecombe County residents to continue to participate in how the county moves forward.

“ENDCA and their rigorous devotion to strategizing, educating the public and county commissioners, turning up to speak at meetings and more over the course of the year is absolutely what drove the decision to withdraw from the land purchase,” she said.  “The group’s success is a reminder that civic engagement can really make a difference. This is a win that should be celebrated, but we also need to make sure to show up to the next meeting’s public hearing in support of the 24-month moratorium.”

A public hearing regarding the moratorium will be held on Aug. 3, 6 p.m., in Commissioners’ Room, second floor of the County Administration Building, 201 St. Andrew St., Tarboro.

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