Alamance County adopts one‑year moratorium on large data centers, sets study and reporting deadlines

The Alamance County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a one‑year moratorium on approvals for large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas, a measure commissioners said is intended to buy time to craft enforceable rules on water, power, noise and siting.

County Attorney Stevens, who drafted the ordinance language, told the board that state law requires a moratorium to include statements of necessity, a defined list of approvals covered and an actionable work program. "A moratorium is really just a deliberative study period for county staff to think about ways to either decide to regulate or how to regulate," Stevens said, emphasizing that the pause must include meaningful action to avoid legal challenge.

The version adopted extends staff deadlines for study and reporting, and includes a provision that the board will consider recommended regulatory amendments at least 30 days before the moratorium expires. Commissioners debated duration at length before settling on the one‑year term with a review trigger; Attorney Stevens said the interval could be shortened or extended by the board later if warranted.

Public comment at the hearing was overwhelmingly in favor of a pause. Speakers cited concerns that hyperscale centers can consume large volumes of water, strain electrical grids and generate continual noise. One resident summarized the public sentiment: "We need to step back, re-evaluate and decide…we need at least two years to sit back and...do some more looking over these things," said Ramona Allen during public comment.

Commissioners said the moratorium is intended not to ban development permanently but to provide time for staff, experts and residents to agree on measurable standards — for example, setbacks from homes, independent water and power requirements, enforceable noise limits and financial guarantees tied to promised jobs.

The board directed staff to assemble a work program, identify resources and outside experts, set public engagement milestones and report back to the board according to the schedule embedded in the adopted ordinance. The moratorium will expire automatically after one year unless the board votes to extend it.