US counties are desperately trying to stop data centers from taking over: A look at how Charlotte, Pima County, and Guildford County are dealing with the onslaught - with an interesting catch
Guilford, Pima, and Charlotte are all hitting pause on data centers, but the fine print indicates not one of these moratoriums stops a project already in motion.
Three local governments across two states have taken action against new data centers in just two weeks. Pima County, Arizona, passed a 120-day pause on September 22, which the Goldwater Institute claimed was illegal within a week. Guilford County, North Carolina, held a hearing on a moratorium on September 28, while Charlotte, North Carolina, is considering extending its own pause by 11 months, with a final decision due by October 12, 2027.
These measures aim to curb the growth of hyperscale data centers due to public opposition and concerns over resource consumption. However, none of these pauses currently affect ongoing construction projects. In Guilford County, North Carolina, there are no pending data center applications, leading to plans for a moratorium being seen as a preemptive measure to avoid potential legal challenges.
Meanwhile, in Pine County, Arizona, a moratorium covering 120 days does not extend to two existing projects, and it is facing a possible legal challenge. Charlotte, North Carolina, on the other hand, has an 11-0 council vote in favor of the pause, but the complexity of the situation lies in the existing zoning regulations, which allow data centers in eight of the city's districts without needing council approval.
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