Dover Passes Data Center Ban as Charlotte Debates Extension
The Dover City Council unanimously approved an 18-month data center moratorium while the Charlotte City Council considers extending its own pause on new developments.
Municipal leaders in two U.S. cities are implementing pauses on data center development to evaluate infrastructure capacity and environmental impacts. The Dover City Council voted unanimously on Monday to establish an 18-month moratorium on new data center applications. Council members expressed concerns that such facilities could strain municipal infrastructure and raise electric rates for residents already struggling to afford basic necessities.
Simultaneously, the Charlotte City Council is weighing an extension of its own 150-day moratorium, which expires November 5. During a public hearing on October 13, officials discussed a proposed 11-month extension that would pause new applications until October 2027. Chief Sustainability and Resiliency Officer Heather Bolick argued that staff need more time and expertise to develop regulatory tools for responsible development.
Opposition to the Charlotte extension comes from union workers and the Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, who claim the ban hinders job creation and economic readiness. Conversely, residents and The Social Justice Center argue that data centers disproportionately burden Black and frontline communities. The moratorium has already halted a project by American Towers, though it does not affect existing constructions. The Charlotte City Council is scheduled to vote on the extension on October 22.
