Data center opposition is growing in North Carolina

Driving the news: Those concerns — which range from worries about increased electricity costs and water usage to noise levels and aesthetics — are playing out in real time in the Triangle.

• Last week, Orange County passed a one-year moratorium on data centers, and, earlier this month, Apex passed one as well after a developer attempted to build a data center there.

State of play: The opposition to data centers does not look likely to slow.

• The Durham City Council is set to consider a two-year moratorium, The News & Observer reported. Several data centers already operate in Research Triangle Park.

Yes, but: The moratoriums could be tested in the courts and the N.C. General Assembly could always address the matter in its current session.

• Chatham County is being sued by a developer over a moratorium it passed, the Triangle Business Journal reported.
• And Gov. Josh Stein has called for lawmakers to review the tax breaks that exist in the state for data centers.