Candidates back study and moratorium on large data centers until impacts are clear
Following state and regional debates about data centers, candidates supported a temporary moratorium and formation of a study committee to assess water, electricity and infrastructure impacts before approving data center development in Wilson County.
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Data centers (referred to in questions as "AI centers") prompted candidates to support a pause-and-study approach. Mayor Hutto described a county resolution to assemble a five-person committee and pursue a six-month moratorium so officials can "figure out what is a data center" and what guidance is needed. Gail Hellum praised the moratorium as a way to gather facts; Christina Puza Smith urged impact studies covering water and electricity use, EPA evaluations and other metrics to understand infrastructure strains and community benefits before approvals.
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