Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for Raleigh NC
Who decides where data centers go near Raleigh — zoning and planning, the local elected board, the county, the state utility commission, and environmental permits — plus what is on file and reporting from across the HERE network.
Who Decides on Data Centers Near Raleigh
DATA CENTER: NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCE CENTER FOR RALEIGH
HERE Raleigh has been following data-center decisions that reach Raleigh — the stories are below, along with every official body that would have a say.
A data center in or near Raleigh would first need local land-use approval through City of Raleigh, and Wake County Board of Commissioners weighs in on land outside city limits and on tax incentives. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is the state utility regulator; it reviews rates and large-customer power contracts for the utilities it oversees. Air and water permits come from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
National context: Federal energy researchers estimate data centers used about 4.4% of all U.S. electricity in 2023 and could use 6.7% to 12% by 2028, which is why utility commissions, local boards, and voters are now central to where these campuses land. U.S. Department of Energy report
What’s on file near Raleigh
- On file so farNo local data-center campus vote is on file for Raleigh yet; here is HERE Raleigh's reporting so far.
HERE Raleigh data center coverage
- From HERE RaleighNov 3, 2026 · NC
Raleigh Data Center Expansion Slips in Ahead of Moratorium
RALEIGH, N.C. — A planned data center expansion in west Raleigh will be reviewed under the city’s old rules because the application landed four days before…
- From HERE RaleighOct 9, 2026 · NC
Jackson says data centers should pay more of energy costs
RALEIGH, N.C. — Attorney General Jeff Jackson told the North Carolina Utilities Commission that data centers should shoulder more of the costs tied to their power…
- From HERE RaleighOct 9, 2026 · NC
Duke Energy settlement would make data centers pay upfront
RALEIGH, N.C. — Duke Energy has reached a settlement with the North Carolina Public Staff and major technology companies on a large-load tariff that would require…
- From HERE RaleighOct 8, 2026 · NC
Raleigh, N.C., council approves six-month data center pause
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh City Council voted 7-1 on Tuesday to put a six-month hold on new large data center development in Raleigh, N.C., giving…
Who decides: zoning, councils, utility regulators & permits
Zoning & Planning
State Utility Regulator
Electric Utility
Environmental, Water & Air Permits
From across the HERE network
- From HERE CharlotteOct 25, 2026 · NC
Charlotte Council Votes Monday on Longer Data Center Pause
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council is scheduled to decide Monday whether to keep its freeze on new data center development in place for most of…
- From HERE GreensboroOct 14, 2026 · NC
Guilford Board to Vote on Data Center Moratorium
Greensboro, N.C. — The Guilford County Board of Commissioners should vote on implementing a 180-day moratorium on new data centers during the commissioners meeting at 5:30…
- From HERE CharlotteOct 13, 2026 · NC
Charlotte Council Weighs Extending Data Center Pause in N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — City Council is weighing whether to prolong the halt on new data-center projects and set a Monday night public hearing on the city’s…
- From HERE NashvilleNov 2, 2026 · TN
Tennessee Data Centers Spread as Towns Push Back
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee now has somewhere between 60 and 65 data centers in operation, and a growing list of local governments wants to slow down…
- From HERE SavannahNov 2, 2026 · GA
OpenAI Data Center Plan Up for Vote Tuesday in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County commissioners meeting in Springfield, Ga., are scheduled to decide Tuesday evening whether to approve site plans for Project Camellia, the large…
- From HERE LansingOct 31, 2026 · MI
Delhi Township Board Votes Against Proposed Holt Data Center
DELHI TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Three days after regional developers floated a giant data center for Delhi Township, the township board voted 6-0 Friday night to go…
- From HERE San AntonioOct 30, 2026 · TX
New Data Centers Need Council Approval in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Every new data center proposed inside San Antonio will now need a public hearing and a City Council vote. Council members approved…
- From HERE LansingOct 29, 2026 · MI
Delhi Township Quits LEAP a Day After $10B Data Center Pitch
DELHI TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Delhi Township has walked away from the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, ending its membership Wednesday, just one day after the regional economic…
- From HERE Oklahoma CityOct 29, 2026 · OK
Council Clears Rezoning for Data Center in Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — A large data center planned on the west side of Oklahoma City, Okla., cleared a key hurdle Tuesday, when the City Council…
Updated weekly. Last updated Nov 6, 2026.
Data Centers Near Raleigh: FAQ
Who approves a data center rezoning near Raleigh?
Rezonings and site plans go through local land-use officials: in Raleigh that is City of Raleigh, with Wake County Board of Commissioners handling land outside city limits and county tax incentives. Planning commissions hold public hearings and recommend; the elected board casts the final vote.
Who approves large power contracts for data centers in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Utilities Commission is the state utility regulator. It reviews rates and the large-customer contracts and tariffs that utilities it oversees propose for data centers.
Which North Carolina agency issues environmental permits for a data center?
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issues the air, water, and wastewater permits a large facility needs, including permits for backup generators.
How can a Raleigh resident weigh in on a data center?
Speak or submit written comments at planning commission and council or board meetings, where agendas are posted in advance, and file public comments in utility cases at the state commission. The official links on this page go straight to those bodies.
What data center decisions are on file near Raleigh?
HERE Raleigh has published recent reporting on data-center decisions affecting the area, linked on this page, including: Raleigh Data Center Expansion Slips in Ahead of Moratorium; Jackson says data centers should pay more of energy costs; Duke Energy settlement would make data centers pay upfront.
Data Center Coverage Across HERE
Resource centers for other HERE cities