A version of the following article appeared in the Wednesday, May 27, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Dozens call for data center moratorium in raucous City Council public hearing
Council member Dimple Ajmera speaks at a press conference outside of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in uptown, ahead of a public hearing about a temporary moratorium on data centers. (Photo by Ashley Fahey/The Charlotte Ledger)
by Ashley Fahey
More than 30 people spoke on a proposed 150-day moratorium on new data center development at Tuesday’s Charlotte City Council meeting, a pause that would allow the city to develop regulations and policy guidance around the building type.
So-called “hyperscale” data centers (which support heavy digital requirements like artificial intelligence) have become controversial locally and nationally because of concerns around their large water and power requirements, and the potential ripple effects on an area's quality of life. But many who spoke at Tuesday’s meeting appeared opposed to all data centers, with several saying the facilities should be banned outright across Charlotte.
All but five of the 36 people who spoke during the public hearing supported a moratorium.
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