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North Carolina Pauses Data Center Projects
Coverage from Axios, Raleigh News & Observer, and others
Articles
28
Active Days
50
The Topic
Cities and counties across North Carolina are slowing new data center approvals while they develop rules for siting, power demand, water use, noise, environmental effects, and community engagement. Charlotte has adopted a 150-day moratorium, Statesville is considering one, and Stokes County is revising its approval process while a major project is refiled. The response is creating uncertainty for developers while prompting industry groups to emphasize jobs, tax revenue, and commitments to cover energy costs.
First Article: 06/08/26
Latest Article: 07/27/26
Summary
- Charlotte unanimously approved a 150-day moratorium on new data center construction, with exemptions for projects already permitted or substantially underway.
- Statesville is considering a 150-day pause to define data centers, identify suitable zoning districts, and establish development standards.
- Stokes County permitted data centers in conditional heavy-manufacturing districts after voiding an earlier Project Delta approval; the developer has submitted a new application.
- Local reviews are focused on electricity costs, water demand, noise, environmental effects, site location, and whether residents receive meaningful input.
- North Carolina Connects spent $367,272 on advertising that promotes data centers’ economic benefits and responds to concerns about energy and water impacts.
- Existing approvals and project-specific exemptions allow some developments, including PowerHouse Charlotte and Compass Data Center, to continue during local reviews.
History
The story has shifted from broad local review activity to a clearer pattern of formal local policy changes and project-specific continuation paths. Charlotte has now adopted its moratorium, Statesville’s pause is moving toward a scheduled hearing, and Stokes County has reopened Project Delta under revised zoning, showing both tighter controls and carve-outs for existing projects.
North Carolina’s data center backlash has moved from general local resistance to specific, active regulatory decisions in Charlotte, Statesville, and Stokes County. The most notable new wrinkle is that opposition is now paired with procedural disputes and a coordinated industry advertising response.
Featured
06-09-2026
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day data center construction moratorium on power, water, environmental, and land-use study grounds in Charlotte, North Carolina.
06-29-2026
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day moratorium on new data centers on June 8 while local zoning, water and power-load rules are developed.
07-10-2026
Charlotte staff paused a data center focus group after criticism that recruitment and meetings lacked transparency, following a June 150-day moratorium on new data center developments.
Timeline: 50 Days
Hover over any logo to see coverage summary, click for full article.
Additional Articles
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North Carolina Connects spent $367,272 on advertising in North Carolina to promote data-center benefits as counties impose moratoriums and legislators consider new regulations by July 27.
Hillsboro City Council voted July 27, 2026, to impose a 120-day land use moratorium blocking new or expanded data center and BESS applications.
ELS resubmitted the Project Delta hyperscale data center application to Stokes County, North Carolina after rezoning voiding and conditional approval amendments in 2026.
Rowan County, North Carolina adopted a one-year data-center moratorium on July 20 after residents raised water, noise, and power-demand concerns about a proposed Flexential campus.
Statesville City Council holds Aug 10, 2026 hearing in North Carolina to consider a 150-day moratorium on new data center applications while updating Unified Development Code zoning rules.
Southport, North Carolina planning board recommended a 15-month moratorium and conditional zoning rules for data centers as zoning text and environmental requirements are drafted.
Charlotte approved a 150-day moratorium on new data center development to update ordinances for electricity and water needs as AI-driven projects expand across North Carolina.
Mount Airy approved a 60-day and Davidson County a six-month data center moratorium in North Carolina, with additional public hearings planned to review local impacts.
Davie County commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on data center construction in North Carolina after residents raised land, water, and electricity cost concerns.
North Carolina voters and congressional candidates debate temporary data center moratoriums as Donald Trump-backed electric-cost pledges and local concerns shape midterm politics.
Caroline County commissioners in Maryland imposed an immediate one-year moratorium on new data center permits in unincorporated areas to enable regulation drafting and public review.
Henderson City Council voted on Tuesday to reject a proposed 180 day data center application moratorium and instead develop revised development agreement standards.
Hillsboro, Oregon, adopted a four-month data center moratorium after a unanimous City Council vote, beginning a 120-day study of permanent land-use limits.
Energy Storage Solutions withdrew a Kingsboro AI data center proposal in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, as officials considered a 24-month moratorium and set an August public hearing.
Spartanburg County Council approved first reading of a one-year moratorium on new data center proposals to pause approvals until statewide rules are set.
PSL activists in Charlotte on July 1 urged North Carolina to ban new data centers and protect electricity customers after a 150-day local approvals moratorium.
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Greensboro council members examined data center ordinances after a 5-4 vote against a moratorium during a work session on electricity demand, infrastructure needs, and water use.
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day data center moratorium in June as interim Mayor Robert Harrington oversees staff work on energy and water usage regulations.
Stokes County, North Carolina planning officials recommended a six-month data center moratorium, potentially delaying Project Delta, pending commissioner approval at a Monday 6 p.m. meeting.
Henderson City Council in Nevada rejected a 180-day moratorium on new data center applications, planning code changes and a development agreement after public water, air, and noise concerns.
Cumberland County imposed a June 15 moratorium on new data centers as Fayetteville scheduled an Aug. 10 public hearing on Unified Development Ordinance revisions in 2026.
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day moratorium on data centers after residents contested siting near Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and raised electricity and water concerns.
Henderson City Council is expected to vote on a 180-day moratorium on new data center applications on July 21 amid public opposition across Southern Nevada.
Newberry County Council in South Carolina confirmed a 12-month moratorium on new data center permits on Wednesday after residents opposed the prior land purchase ordinance.
Asheville City Council approved a one-year moratorium on data center development on June 23 to study water, energy, and noise impacts within city limits.