Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
28 <br /> 1 Clean Energy Comes First <br /> 2 Data centers will have backup electric generation. These generators are nearly always diesel <br /> 3 powered, with the associated emissions from large diesel motors. <br /> 4 "Emergency use" <br /> 5 In thinking of the 'back up generators', the expectation to most of us is these generators would <br /> 6 operate only in times when the primary source of power is lost. <br /> 7 However, part of the regulation should consider what consists of an emergency. Data centers may <br /> 8 switch to their backup systems when their primary costs of electric goes up. Meaning, the <br /> 9 generators will run all the time as long as they produce cheaper electricity. This means people <br /> 10 nearby will hear the generators and live with the emissions. <br /> 11 These are a lot of things to consider, and I've only scratched the surface. One thing to keep in <br /> 12 mind is that the Sierra Club is not anti-data center as a rule, as a certain amount of data centers <br /> 13 need to exist for the internet to function at all. And that also proves the point that time and <br /> 14 thoughtful analysis needs to be made before allowing data centers in Orange County. We hope <br /> 15 the process brings in subject matter experts and the Sierra Club is interested in participating in <br /> 16 that process. Thank you." <br /> 17 <br /> 18 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to direct <br /> 19 staff to prepare for a legislative public hearing at the April 21, 2026 Board Business meeting to <br /> 20 declare a moratorium on "large-scale data centers" for one year and to initiate an amendment to <br /> 21 the Orange County LIDO to define and regulate "large-scale" data centers, inclusive of Artificial <br /> 22 Intelligence Data Centers, Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities, Data Centers, Data Processing <br /> 23 Facilities, and similar uses. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 26 <br /> 27 7. Reports <br /> 28 None. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 8. Consent Agenda <br /> 31 <br /> 32 • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda <br /> 33 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda <br /> 34 • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda <br /> 35 <br /> 36 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to approve <br /> 37 the consent agenda. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 40 <br /> 41 a. Minutes for February 17, 2026 Business Meeting <br /> 42 The Board approved the minutes for the February 17, 2026 Business Meeting. <br /> 43 b. Second Chance Month Proclamation <br /> 44 The Board approved a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Second Chance Month and <br /> 45 honoring Orange County's reentering residents and the people and groups who support them. <br /> 46 c. Long COVID Awareness Month Proclamation <br /> 47 The Board approved a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Long COVID Awareness Month <br /> 48 and retroactively designated March 15, 2026, as "Long COVID Awareness Day" in Orange <br /> 49 County. <br /> 50 <br /> 51 <br />