Data center moratorium extended in city of Charlotte: What to know
City council votes to extend moratorium for nearly 1 year
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - City council members on Monday voted to extend the data center moratorium for the city of Charlotte for nearly one year.
On Monday, Oct. 26, the Charlotte City Council voted to adopt a measure that extends the city’s data center moratorium until Oct. 18, 2027.
In June this year, the city council approved a 150-day data center moratorium amid growing concerns nationwide about data centers’ impact on the environment, resources, and community.
The initial 150-day data center moratorium for the city of Charlotte was slated to expire on Nov. 5, 2026. The moratorium’s end date has been pushed back nearly a year, however, following a unanimous vote at a council meeting on Monday.
The language in the newly-adopted moratorium is similar to the previous moratorium, which temporarily pauses the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for new data center projects within city limits.
The moratorium will give city leaders time to evaluate existing ordinances, consider new ordinances, and determine best practices related to data center development, according to the city.
Under the initial moratorium that took effect on June 8, data center projects that had already been approved would not be impacted by the city’s moratorium.
Communities across the United States have been outspoken against data centers over the past few years, and more potently over the past few months.
Residents point to a variety of concerns about issues of polluted water, centers’ energy and water usage, noise pollution, and the possibility of chemical leaks.
---> Related: How data centers shift landscape of rural communities
Action NC and local climate groups said earlier this year that U.S. communities have seen a strain on infrastructure and an impact on the quality of life due to data centers.
Prior to the initial moratorium enactment in June, Action NC specifically pointed to the proposed Powerhouse Charlotte development, which would span five buildings across 122 acres. The site could use 300-400 megawatts of electricity -- enough power for about 300,000 homes -- according to advocates.
Another proposed data center in east Charlotte drew concern from neighbors, who do not believe there are enough policies in place to address possible harms.
“I hope the council would do the right thing and go at least another year because, as we found on the task force, there is an enormous, enormous amount of work that still needs to be done,” said Cristopher Scalise, who served on a city task force regarding data centers. “We’re not ready to move forward as a city on this issue.”
---> See more: Charlotte residents urge city to extend data center construction pause
Data centers have been around for years, but are becoming more prevalent as companies look to expand and rely more on artificial intelligence.
The Donald Trump administration maintains that the U.S. must keep its lead over China when it comes to AI advancement, and has frequently dismissed AI concerns. Opponents across the U.S. argue that there is not enough AI regulation, and that the technology could have serious impacts on jobs, infrastructure, the environment, and humanity.
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