{"id":3211,"date":"2026-06-25T11:04:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=3211"},"modified":"2026-06-25T11:04:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:04:38","slug":"advocates-warn-of-ai-data-centers-harm-to-water-quality-at-nc-legislature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=3211","title":{"rendered":"Advocates warn of AI data centers\u2019 harm to water quality at NC legislature"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.<\/p>\n

Read our AI Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n

North Carolina has become a \u201cnational destination\u201d for data centers, but many residents want policymakers to do more to address their concerns about the facilities.<\/p>\n

Read more NC rape survivor \u2018done with asking why\u2019 after attacker sentenced to prison<\/a><\/p>\n

That was the message Wednesday at a press conference at the General Assembly. North Carolina residents and community organizers joined Rep. Maria Cervania to speak against AI data center development. The speakers, many from rural areas, said data centers\u2019 impacts on water quality and supply are among their chief concerns.<\/p>\n

Data centers are facilities used to store and process data to power systems like cloud computing and AI software.<\/p>\n

The press conference drew more than 40 attendees, only about half of which could fit into the conference room.<\/p>\n

Cervania, a Morrisville Democrat, said the state has become a \u201cnational destination for data center development.\u201d But the negative impacts on water quality and land use raises concerns.<\/p>\n

Luca Kennedy, communications manager at the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, said her organization wants protections for those living in communities where local governments are considering data center development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are the unified voice of the overwhelming majority in this country. Tomorrow we will even be stronger,\u201d Kennedy said. \u201cWe will continue to build this intersectional liberatory movement, and we will continue this fight until we protect our entire state from the many harms of AI data centers.\u201d<\/p>\n

AI use has become increasingly popular, but the popularity of AI data center development isn\u2019t so. According to a recent Gallup poll<\/a>, 70% of Americans oppose AI data center development where they live.<\/p>\n

Many municipalities across North Carolina have implemented data center moratoriums \u2014 or a temporary delay in an activity \u2014 to allow governments time to research the centers and their local impacts, a big win for local advocates. States like New York and Maine have passed statewide moratoriums, though Maine\u2019s bill was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI would hope that elected officials at the local level, who have a lot of this power currently, could do the research, talk to people who are experts,\u201d Cervania said.<\/p>\n

Belinda Joyner, northeastern organizer for Clean Water for North Carolina, said that residents deserve transparency from their local governments when they are considering data center development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you take that oath and swear to uphold your community, we are their constituents … But once they get there, they forget who the constituents are,\u201d Joyner said. \u201cIf you live in a community and you pay taxes every day, you have a right to know what\u2019s coming to your community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Cervania says she has seen lawmakers open to discussions about AI regulation, she said \u201cthey could do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, state lawmakers advanced<\/a> the state\u2019s most comprehensive data center regulations thus far. The bill would determine how these centers are funded, cooled and owned. Cervania said she doesn\u2019t have an update on the bill\u2019s status and said other legislation, like the state budget and a sweeping elections bill,<\/a> has become a priority.<\/p>\n

Carroll Olinger, an organizer with Action NC, said she and other residents in Cumberland County already have struggled with PFAS, or forever chemicals, that were found in their water. She said that forced her to need dialysis treatments.<\/p>\n

Building AI data centers, which can harm water supply for residents, gives her greater concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe water is not Republican or Democrat. We all need the water,\u201d Olinger said.<\/p>\n

Cervania encouraged voters to ensure that they are voting for representatives who share their values on the importance of AI development regulation.<\/p>\n

Read more Kyle Cooke Shares Surprising Reaction to West Wilson Leaving ‘Summer House’<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

North Carolina advocates joined Rep. 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