Charlotte city staff researching data center impacts
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte City Councilwoman says data centers are becoming the wild wild west of the Queen City. These facilities are popping up across Charlotte, some are in commercial areas, but others are in residential areas. Now city leaders say it’s time for more rules and regulations.
“We need clear regulations in place to ensure that there is a place for this kind of sites, definitely not next to nature preserve, definitely not near residential communities like we are seeing,” Councilwoman at-large Dimple Ajmera said.
Most recently American Tower Corporation proposed re-zoning land in East Charlotte for a data center on 58 acres of land surrounded by homes and a park.
“These facilities can use as much water as millions of gallons a day, and especially when we are asking residents to conserve water, we need regulations in place to protect water,” Councilwoman Ajmera said. “These facilities can use as much electricity as thousands of homes.”
Experts say data centers often require energy companies to expand grids to keep up with the demand.
“The cost of new plant construction unless special circumstances have been dictated is going to be passed on to utility customers so it has the potential to raise utility rates,” Dr. Lauren Withycombe Keeler from Arizona State University said.
Charlotte city staff are now writing new rules and regulations for data centers. It could take up to six months to complete the research. Councilwoman Ajmera says the city should pause approving data centers until then.
“We need to ensure that clearly there is moratorium in place ‘til we have this protections for our community, because we need clear guardrails currently, it’s a wild west till we have some protections in place for our community,” Councilwoman Ajmera said.
City staff will be consulting with other cities to learn best practices. Duke Energy will have a required hearing on a proposed rate hike, Wednesday April 29th at 7pm the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.
