Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for Asheville NC
Who decides where data centers go near Asheville — zoning and planning, the local elected board, the county, the state utility commission, and environmental permits — plus what is on file and reporting from across the HERE network.
Who Decides on Data Centers Near Asheville
DATA CENTER: NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCE CENTER FOR ASHEVILLE
No local data-center vote or application is on file in HERE Asheville's reporting yet. If a proposal arrives, these are the people and agencies that would decide it, and this section will track it every week.
A data center in or near Asheville would first need local land-use approval through City of Asheville, and Buncombe County weighs in on land outside city limits and on tax incentives. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is the state utility regulator; it reviews rates and large-customer power contracts for the utilities it oversees. Air and water permits come from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
National context: Federal energy researchers estimate data centers used about 4.4% of all U.S. electricity in 2023 and could use 6.7% to 12% by 2028, which is why utility commissions, local boards, and voters are now central to where these campuses land. U.S. Department of Energy report
What’s on file near Asheville
- Nothing on file yetNo local data-center vote, rezoning, or application is on file in HERE Asheville's reporting yet. When one is filed, it will appear here first.
Who decides: zoning, councils, utility regulators & permits
Zoning & Planning
County
State Utility Regulator
Electric Utility
Environmental, Water & Air Permits
From across the HERE network
- From HERE RaleighNov 3, 2026 · NC
Raleigh Data Center Expansion Slips in Ahead of Moratorium
RALEIGH, N.C. — A planned data center expansion in west Raleigh will be reviewed under the city’s old rules because the application landed four days before…
- From HERE CharlotteOct 25, 2026 · NC
Charlotte Council Votes Monday on Longer Data Center Pause
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council is scheduled to decide Monday whether to keep its freeze on new data center development in place for most of…
- From HERE GreensboroOct 14, 2026 · NC
Guilford Board to Vote on Data Center Moratorium
Greensboro, N.C. — The Guilford County Board of Commissioners should vote on implementing a 180-day moratorium on new data centers during the commissioners meeting at 5:30…
- From HERE CharlotteOct 13, 2026 · NC
Charlotte Council Weighs Extending Data Center Pause in N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — City Council is weighing whether to prolong the halt on new data-center projects and set a Monday night public hearing on the city’s…
- From HERE RaleighOct 9, 2026 · NC
Jackson says data centers should pay more of energy costs
RALEIGH, N.C. — Attorney General Jeff Jackson told the North Carolina Utilities Commission that data centers should shoulder more of the costs tied to their power…
- From HERE RaleighOct 9, 2026 · NC
Duke Energy settlement would make data centers pay upfront
RALEIGH, N.C. — Duke Energy has reached a settlement with the North Carolina Public Staff and major technology companies on a large-load tariff that would require…
- From HERE RaleighOct 8, 2026 · NC
Raleigh, N.C., council approves six-month data center pause
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh City Council voted 7-1 on Tuesday to put a six-month hold on new large data center development in Raleigh, N.C., giving…
- From HERE NashvilleNov 2, 2026 · TN
Tennessee Data Centers Spread as Towns Push Back
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee now has somewhere between 60 and 65 data centers in operation, and a growing list of local governments wants to slow down…
- From HERE SavannahNov 2, 2026 · GA
OpenAI Data Center Plan Up for Vote Tuesday in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County commissioners meeting in Springfield, Ga., are scheduled to decide Tuesday evening whether to approve site plans for Project Camellia, the large…
Updated weekly. Last updated Nov 6, 2026.
Data Centers Near Asheville: FAQ
Who approves a data center rezoning near Asheville?
Rezonings and site plans go through local land-use officials: in Asheville that is City of Asheville, with Buncombe County handling land outside city limits and county tax incentives. Planning commissions hold public hearings and recommend; the elected board casts the final vote.
Who approves large power contracts for data centers in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Utilities Commission is the state utility regulator. It reviews rates and the large-customer contracts and tariffs that utilities it oversees propose for data centers.
Which North Carolina agency issues environmental permits for a data center?
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issues the air, water, and wastewater permits a large facility needs, including permits for backup generators.
How can a Asheville resident weigh in on a data center?
Speak or submit written comments at planning commission and council or board meetings, where agendas are posted in advance, and file public comments in utility cases at the state commission. The official links on this page go straight to those bodies.
Is a data center proposed in Asheville?
No local data-center vote or application is on file in HERE Asheville's reporting yet. This page is updated weekly, and any proposal will appear here first.
Data Center Coverage Across HERE
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