A majority of North Carolina voters say companies—not taxpayers—should cover the costs of expanded energy infrastructure required for data centers. A new poll by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Foundation found 57% of respondents support making corporations bear financial responsibility for upgrades tied to their operations.
Data centers consume vast amounts of electricity and water. While some communities have welcomed the economic boost, others have rejected the strain on local resources. In July, Tarboro turned down a $6 billion, 50-acre facility. Projects in Matthews and Apex also faced backlash, despite advisory board approval in Apex. Meanwhile, Charlotte, Statesville, Maiden, and Lenoir have welcomed similar developments.
Amazon has announced a $10 billion investment in Richmond County to expand its Amazon Web Services data center network, part of a growing footprint along North Carolina’s South Carolina border. The boom in digital infrastructure has sparked debate over who should shoulder the associated utility costs.
The poll, conducted July 22–29 by Hart Research, surveyed 1,126 registered voters with a margin of error of ±2.92%. Just 11% of respondents agreed that state government or taxpayers should foot the bill for energy expansion tied to these large-scale tech facilities.
Environmental and fiscal concerns remain linked in the conversation. The same poll revealed that 69% of North Carolinians believe extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in the state—a potential strain on both infrastructure and public resources. The North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Foundation, which commissioned the poll, advocates for local and state policies that prioritize environmental and community health.
