Data Centers Shouldn’t Shift Costs to North Carolina Families: Support HB1063

I'm writing as your constituent to urge you to support House Bill 1063 (Ratepayer and Resource Protection Act) and to ensure it moves out of committee with your active backing. North Carolina faces rapid data center growth with serious consequences for electricity demand, grid strain, local planning, and water resources. HB 1063 addresses these impacts directly through clear requirements and accountability. We cannot rely on vague promises or backroom arrangements when communities bear the real costs. Recent cases make clear why this bill is essential. In Vineland, New Jersey, DataOne operated 62 unpermitted natural gas generators near homes and schools for months before discovery, receiving only a $1.07 million fine that amounted to pocket change for a multi-billion-dollar company. In South Memphis, xAI operated 57 unpermitted methane turbines at its Colossus 2 data center, prompting the NAACP and environmental groups to file a federal lawsuit. Microsoft itself was fined $2.5 million by Virginia for operating 62 unregulated emergency engines at its Leesburg facility. These are not isolated incidents. They reveal a consistent pattern: data center operators exploit regulatory gaps, operating first and seeking forgiveness later, calculating that fines are simply a cost of doing business. Meanwhile, the damage to air quality, water resources, and grid stability falls on local communities. HB 1063 is a clean, targeted response that does not stifle innovation or penalize responsible investment. Instead, it establishes straightforward requirements that ensure data centers operate transparently, meet clear environmental standards from the outset, and remain accountable to the public. This prevents the costly scenario where communities discover violations months or years after damage is done. I ask you to make HB 1063 a priority. Should improvements be proposed, keep focus on its core mission: data centers must meet responsible standards for electricity, air, and water impacts with transparent reporting and meaningful enforcement. North Carolina must learn from New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia's experience, not repeat it. I appreciate your service and would welcome an update on your position and the bill's next steps.