NC WARN today launched a statewide petition drive calling on Gov. Josh Stein to use his authority and political power to implement a 2-year moratorium on data centers. This move reflects the accelerating public backlash against the surge of A.I. data centers now notorious for air, water and noise pollution.
Stein has helped fuel the data center frenzy even as the public has learned about a host of harms when their communities are targeted for the sometimes massive projects, and even as A.I. has become a national pariah.
Now, it’s on the Governor to begin making amends. He must freeze current data center development, halt the secret scheming by data center proponents and establish a first-ever, transparent and fair decision-making process that prioritizes the interests and voices of targeted communities.
In June NC WARN began calling on Stein to stop Duke Energy and state officials from quietly strategizing to recruit the noxious plants. And NC WARN’s attorney has begun the steps necessary to require the Governor and Commerce department to release all public records showing their involvement in this burgeoning statewide scandal.
We and allies will use the petition to further press Gov. Stein to side with the public instead of A.I. developers and Duke Energy.
###
Now in its 38th year, NC WARN is building people power in the climate and energy justice movement to persuade or require Charlotte-based Duke Energy – one of the world’s largest climate polluters – to make a quick transition to renewable, affordable power generation and energy efficiency in order to avert climate tipping points and ongoing rate hikes.