Summary
Every public forum speaker opposed allowing hyperscale data centers in Apex, especially near the Shearon Harris nuclear plant in New Hill. Speakers cited energy demand, water use, air pollution, noise, decommissioning, and security risks, and demanded a public progress report on the town's moratorium study.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 27, 2026.
Impact analysis
A speaker warned the state's SNAP fraud recovery could cost Apex up to about $1 million — roughly half a cent on the property tax rate — and residents questioned the cost of data-center-related utility investments.
Residents of New Hill and surrounding areas if the council maintains existing protections against data centers.
Speakers argued residents would bear water, air-quality, and infrastructure burdens if data centers are permitted.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Regular Town Council Meeting — October 27, 2026
Every public forum speaker opposed allowing hyperscale data centers in Apex, especially near the Shearon Harris nuclear plant in New Hill. Speakers cited energy demand, water use, air pollution, noise, decommissioning, and security risks, and demanded a public progress report on the town's moratorium study.
Regular Town Council Meeting — February 24, 2026
Multiple public forum speakers urged the council to reject the proposed hyperscale data center near New Hill, citing diesel backup generator emissions, PM2.5 health risks, water consumption of a million gallons a day, and noise. Residents asked for a central town website with all data center information and a cost-benefit analysis.
Regular Town Council Meeting — February 10, 2026
Multiple residents — including a UNC environmental engineering professor with dispersion modeling — argued the proposed 300-megawatt data center near New Hill would degrade air quality, strain water and the power grid, and harm health. Speakers urged the town to hire independent experts before any rezoning decision.
Regular Town Council Meeting — January 13, 2026
A proposed hyperscale data center near New Hill dominated the public forum, with a dozen speakers citing diesel generator emissions, water consumption, noise, tax-shield financing, and safety risks. The council will hold a joint work session with the Planning Board on January 22 to build policy knowledge — no applicant presentation, no specific site discussion.
140 acres of cleared woodland is just the start of a massive project in Apex
140 acres of cleared woodland is just the start of a massive project in Apex Raleigh News & Observer
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