Whiteville Halt on Data Centers and Crypto Mining Temporarily Blocks New Projects
The city council of Whiteville, North Carolina, has approved a 12-month moratorium on new data centers and cryptocurrency mining. This temporary pause aims to give local authorities time to study the potential impacts of these industries on local resources and public health.
The moratorium is effective immediately and will run from August 25, 2026, until August 25, 2027, or until the city adopts a zoning ordinance text amendment addressing data centers and cryptocurrency mining. Whiteville's current zoning laws do not define or regulate these facilities.
Mayor Terry Mann expressed concerns about the high water consumption and electricity usage required by data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations, which could lead to greenhouse gas emissions, pollutant exposure from backup diesel generators, electronic waste, and noise pollution for nearby residents.