Amazon, Duke Energy Clear Hurdle for Massive Generator Project in North Carolina

North Carolina regulators have approved air quality permits for Amazon and Duke Energy to operate over 600 generators in Hamlet, sparking criticism from environmental groups. The permits allow for 588 emergency backup engines at an Amazon data center and 57 temporary non-emergency 'bridge power' engines provided by Duke Energy.

The Southern Environmental Law Center condemned the decision, stating that the diesel-fired generators would pose significant health concerns for nearby communities.

However, the Department of Environmental Quality said emissions are capped and include additional testing and monitoring requirements. The department also pointed out that federal air quality standards have been met in the state for 11 consecutive years.

The approval comes as Amazon is investing $10 billion in its data center supply chain in North Carolina, which will create at least 500 jobs in high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence.