When it comes to permitting data centers, a growing number of North Carolina municipalities are hitting pause.
Local government in the western mountains, around the Triangle, and along the Virginia border have in recent months delayed any new data centers by passing temporary moratoriums. Some did so following specific facility proposals; others preempted possible future projects.
This year, data center moratorium debates have packed town hall meetings where community members spoke for or against (but it has usually been for) putting on the brakes…