Newport approves moratorium on data center development

NEWPORT, N.C. (WITN) - The Newport Town Council has approved a moratorium on data center development.

The approved moratorium is set to remain in place for at least a year.

Officials say the town will use the moratorium to evaluate how data centers, data processing facilities, cryptocurrency mining operations and associated uses should be addressed in development regulations.

The town will work on a comprehensive rewrite of its Unified Development Ordinance, which officials say does not currently address data centers or establish standards governing their development.

The moratorium will give leaders a chance to study how data centers and related uses should be addressed in the UDO rewrite.

Potential considerations include where facilities may be permitted, development standards, and other regulations to address their impacts.

The town clarified that the moratorium does not permanently prohibit data centers in Newport.