Data center developments on hold? Cumberland County weighs moratorium
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Cumberland County officials are considering a temporary halt on new data center developments, just two weeks after the City of Fayetteville voted to pause on similar projects for 120 days. The move has sparked a wave of concern and questions from residents about the effect of these facilities on the local environment and resources.
Residents across the county say they want clear information on what data centers could mean for the community.
Carrol Olinger, the organization director for Action NC, has lived and worked in Hope Mills for decades. Sitting on her porch, Olinger recalls life before she needed dialysis treatment three times a week and expresses her worries about potential contamination from data centers.
"What kind of data center is it going to be, other than it cools the machines? Where are they going to be discharged?" Olinger said. "I worked in the community where there was PFAS in the school system. I used to drink water all the time."
Olinger is particularly concerned about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as "forever chemicals," found in bodies of water such as the Cape Fear River. She said data centers could add to those risks.
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Lisette Rodriguez, founder of Fayetteville Freedom for All, a community advocacy group, said she plans to speak up for more safeguards as the county weighs its options.
"I think we have to be very careful with how we use it. I think it can be used for good in some instances. But there's a lot of bad that I think can come out of it as well," Rodriguez said. "Rural communities are also being heavily impacted by the data centers. So, if they do get that public input and the people say, no, we want very stringent guardrails to make it nearly impossible for them to come in. That's what we would like to see."
Communities across North Carolina, including Wake, Chatham, Orange, and Harnett counties, have already enacted temporary bans on data centers as they research the potential impacts.
Residents such as Olinger hope Cumberland County will take similar actions before it's too late.
"Our children, our grandchildren, the future generations, generation. You're messing with them now. That makes me mad," Olinger said.
The county board will meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. to hear public feedback and decide whether to impose the moratorium and for how long.
