Town sets public hearing for moratorium on data centers to address community concerns
By WLOS Staff
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CANTON, North Carolina (WLOS) — Town leaders in Canton took the first steps toward a moratorium or temporary ban on data centers and crypto mining.
According to Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers, the town board passed the motion to set the public hearing for the moratorium on data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, and server farms.
The town does not have any laws currently on the books regulating the data mining industry, Smathers said.
He said a moratorium would give the town a chance to get feedback from residents and decide on any possible ordinances for that type of development.
“We understand with the mill site there’s a lot of interest, but again our first priority is to protect the citizens, not just in the Canton jurisdiction but in Haywood County,” said Smathers. “There are major worries about what data centers do through energy consumption and especially water and sound,” said Smathers.
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