NC House fast-tracks bill to regulate data center construction

North Carolina has attracted significant data center investment in recent years, particularly in the Research Triangle and Charlotte regions, drawn by favorable tax incentives and available land. The rapid build-out of large facilities has prompted concerns among utility regulators and some lawmakers about strain on power infrastructure and water systems. The state's energy grid, managed in part by Duke Energy, is already navigating a broader transition toward renewable sources while meeting growing industrial demand. Legislative efforts to regulate data center development reflect a national pattern in which states are beginning to weigh economic development incentives against infrastructure and environmental costs.