Data Centers in Raleigh: My Position on the Moratorium

I support the moratorium on data centers because I personally don't believe they belong in Raleigh, especially anywhere near residential neighborhoods. There are serious environmental and infrastructure concerns related to these facilities, including noise, water consumption, energy demands, and the potential impact on utility costs for residents.

Under North Carolina law, municipalities cannot simply ban data centers, but we can establish strict zoning regulations that address these impacts and require facilities to meet those standards before they are approved. This would allow us to restrict where data centers can be built and prevent facilities that cannot meet our standards from being developed.

Raleigh already has some regulations addressing data centers, but additional standards are needed for larger facilities. My understanding is that city staff considered six months sufficient to develop additional regulations. However, after hearing the public concerns raised on October 6, I would have wanted Council to consider extending the moratorium or at least discuss whether six months was enough time to adequately address those concerns.

Since Council decided on a six-month moratorium, we need the city to clearly explain to residents what it intends to accomplish during that time, how their concerns will be addressed, and how they can participate in the process.

We need to take the time to get the regulations right instead of rushing through a process that could have long-term consequences for our residents.