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After months of public pressure, Edgecombe commissioners call hearing on 24‑month data center moratorium
Summary
Following a series of public comments and the withdrawal of one prospective data‑center project, the board voted 6–1 to publish notice for a public hearing to consider a 24‑month moratorium on new data centers while the county reviews rules and the comprehensive plan.
Edgecombe County commissioners on July 6 directed staff to publish notice for a public hearing on a proposed 24‑month moratorium on data center development, a move the board approved 6–1 after extended public comment and briefing by staff. The moratorium would pause consideration of new data center applications while the county studies potential UDO amendments and comprehensive plan updates.
The public petition period featured dozens of residents expressing concern about large computing facilities, citing water consumption, potential strain on electric capacity and long‑term land‑use impacts. Longtime resident Vincent Bridgers said, “I urge you to halt any and all possibilities for a data center in Edgecombe County,” and multiple speakers urged the board to adopt either a ban or strict UDO amendments.
Staff reported that a previously discussed project by Energy Storage Solutions — which had sought to purchase county land at Kingsborough Industrial Park and an option on adjacent acreage — had withdrawn its request; manager Evans said he received written notice from a company principal recommending withdrawal and asked that the deposit be returned, which the board approved.
Board members spoke in favor of a temporary pause to allow staff and the advisory committee time to draft ordinance changes and gather technical information. One commissioner proposed 24 months to conduct studies and possible UDO amendments; another argued for a shorter window. The board ultimately voted to call a public hearing to consider a 24‑month moratorium and directed staff to publish the notice.
The moratorium notice, if adopted after public hearing, would give the county time to review advisory‑committee recommendations, draft specific ordinance changes (water‑use plans, noise limits, zoning restrictions), and evaluate the comprehensive land‑use map. The board emphasized that a moratorium is not a permanent ban and can be rescinded or modified following the public process.
What happens next: staff will publish notice for a public hearing at the August meeting to consider the proposed 24‑month moratorium and to begin drafting potential UDO amendments during the pause and public process.
