Whiteville Approves 12-Month Moratorium on New Data Centers, Crypto Mining

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Whiteville city leaders have approved an immediate 12-month moratorium on new data centers and cryptocurrency mining to allow time to study their potential impacts on local resources and public health.

The Whiteville City Council voted Tuesday night to enact the temporary pause, directing city staff to research the industries and draft regulatory guidelines. The pause is effective immediately, running from August 25, 2026, until August 25, 2027, or until the city adopts a zoning ordinance text amendment addressing these land uses, whichever comes first.

Whiteville’s current zoning laws do not define or regulate either type of facility.

“Personally, I have a lot of questions about them,” Whiteville Mayor Terry Mann said. “I think there’s a lot of things that are uncertain — like how much water it takes for the cooling process, how much electricity they use, and what that might do to our resources.”

According to city agenda documents, these high-tech facilities demand massive amounts of electricity and water. Local officials raised concerns that unregulated growth could lead to high greenhouse gas emissions, widespread pollutant exposure from backup diesel generators, excessive electronic waste, and severe noise pollution for nearby residents.