North Carolina communities have responded to surging data center demand from artificial intelligence and cloud computing with over 30 local moratoriums in 2026, citing strains on electricity grids, water supplies, and noise impacts. Recent court rulings, including a Chatham County decision allowing a challenged project to proceed, highlight limits under state downzoning laws that prevent outright bans. Raleigh enacted a six-month pause in early October 2026 while drafting zoning rules, following similar actions in Cary, Durham, and others. No statewide moratorium legislation has advanced, with local pauses and regulatory studies remaining the primary response amid ongoing developer interest in the region.