A proposed data center in Charlotte shows why the city should slow down | Opinion
Yesterday morning, as a professor in public health and health policy, I received the Public Health Newswire, which highlighted an interview between the American Public Health Association and the NAACP warning of the environmental harms of AI data centers. By the evening, I had received text messages from my neighbors about the latest news: the introduction of Rezoning Petition 2025 120, which would allow a data center on 58 acres off Hood Road. Our neighborhood. Many of us texted responses and exclaimed, “Not in my backyard!”
We all recognize that Charlotte is growing quickly, and with that growth, development proposals deserve public critique. Although supporters of data centers frame it as a small addition to our tech economy, those of us who live nearby are concerned about Charlotte’s long-term sustainability. The proposal raises serious questions about environmental impact and long-term public health, as well as whether our zoning rules are equipped to address the potential expansion of data centers throughout the city and county.
Across the country, data centers are becoming some of the most resource intensive buildings. The NAACP warned that AI driven data centers are projected to consume up to 12% of all U.S. electricity by 2030, with major tech companies already reporting steep increases in greenhouse gas emissions as these facilities expand. These facilities draw enough power to rival that of small cities, and there have been reports that electricity bills could double by 2039 if data centers continue to expand. Currently, rezoning petitions in Charlotte have not included clear, transparent, and binding sustainability commitments.
Issues related to water use, noise pollution, and energy consumption have been raised in other cities. Many data centers rely on cooling systems that can consume millions of gallons of water each year. The NAACP notes that these facilities are already straining water systems in communities nationwide, reducing access to clean drinking water and increasing the risk of contamination. Noise pollution can alter the character of nearby neighborhoods, and the constant hum can erode the quality of life for families who chose this area for its relative quiet. Backup generators, cooling fans, and mechanical equipment can run 24/7. Although the Rezoning Petition cites attempts to protect greenways, it is very close to Reedy Creek Park and several newly built neighborhoods that were intentionally built to protect the greenways. Moreover, data centers pose risks of air pollution, water contamination, and increased respiratory problems, all major health issues that cannot be justified by vague promises of economic development.
But perhaps the most urgent concern is about who bears the burden. Data centers are disproportionately sited in low income neighborhoods and communities of color, exacerbating pre-existing environmental and health inequities. Charlotte has recently faced similar tough conversations about these issues in connection with proposals to expand I-77. Our city cannot claim to prioritize equity while approving projects that continue to perpetuate environmental injustice.
The deeper issue is that Charlotte’s zoning framework has not kept pace with the scale of data center development. A citywide strategy is needed to determine where these facilities belong, how they should be built, and what protections communities deserve. Other jurisdictions, such as Loudon and Prince William Counties in Virginia, have already adopted air quality controls, water use reporting, noise abatement standards, design standards to reduce visual and neighborhood impacts, and environmental impact analysis with community benefit agreements. The NAACP has recommended that cities have a moratorium until comprehensive oversight measures are in place.
The Hood Road proposal is an opportunity for the City Council to pause existing data center proposals and reassess broader policy adoption. Residents, like my neighbors and me, deserve clarity on the core issues involving energy demand and consumer costs, water consumption, noise levels, and long-term environmental impact. Zoning guidelines should be established in collaboration with both environmental experts and community members, with a focus on sustainability and equity. Data centers do not belong in any of Charlotte’s backyards without clear regulations.
Apryl Alexander is a Charlotte resident and the Metrolina Distinguished Professor of Health and Policy and Director of the Violence Prevention Center at UNC Charlotte. The views in this article are not representative of her institution.
This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM.