Data center and fracking moratorium

Reminded the Board their decisions affect current and future generations.

A Deep River resident with a small farm and a child with asthma urged a moratorium, citing risks to wells, groundwater, air, and summer water shortages.

An attorney, Army veteran, and Jonesboro business owner noted no hands were raised in support of the data center and warned of contaminated water outcomes seen in the Cape Fear Basin.

Urged slowing down and gathering facts, saying 'a rush to judgment is a rush to regret' and that a moratorium makes sense.

A Republican from Cumnock Road sharply criticized the Board's inaction and Chairman Smith by name, urging the minority commissioners to act.

Said the current proposal is under-regulated and supported a moratorium of at least two years to put guardrails in place.

Warned the Cumnock area sits over unmapped old coal mines and recalled past textile pollution, urging the Board to protect residents.

A conservative well-water resident and hunter on the Deep River said data centers create few jobs and predicted the company would exhaust resources and file bankruptcy; urged a moratorium.

A retired hospice social worker spoke about regret and responsibility, supporting a moratorium and opposing both fracking and data centers.

A medical professional who places dialysis catheters described patients with heavy-metal kidney failure and cited fracking health research; asked for a moratorium to study the capped Butler well site.

An NC State emeritus professor who chose Sanford five years ago asked the Board to delay the data center via moratorium, noting many residents couldn't attend.

An Army veteran with tinnitus described permanent noise pollution harms near data centers and urged a moratorium to set sound standards first.

Cited a Brookings Institution article urging regions to slow down and get the right standards in place before deciding.

A licensed plumber and well contractor educated the Board on well and water risks, noting county water in Harnett also comes from wells.

A Clean Water for North Carolina staffer presented a report on the AI data center business model, said residents already pay higher bills for Microsoft's data centers, and endorsed a moratorium.

A taxpayer and voter who came simply to support a moratorium on fracking and data centers.

Asked the Board, City Council, and SAGA to prohibit NDAs in data center deals, cited Moore County's two-year moratorium, and urged the county to be selective about industry.

A nearly 36-year Sanford resident raising four daughters here asked for a moratorium until the county understands what it's approving.

Compared data centers to a landfill fight he helped win, citing unusable land footprints, few jobs, and health risks; demanded a moratorium and accountability at the ballot box.