North Carolina faces mounting pressure for a statewide data center moratorium amid a surge in AI-driven proposals that could quintuple capacity, prompting over 30 local governments—including recent one-year pauses in Beaufort and Durham counties—to halt approvals while studying power, water, and noise impacts. Citizen groups are actively campaigning for a two-year statewide pause, citing Duke Energy tax amendments on the November ballot that could accelerate development. Local moratoriums have faced legal setbacks, such as a Chatham County court ruling allowing a 750-megawatt project to proceed, highlighting enforcement challenges. With the legislative session ongoing and no statewide bill advanced, traders are weighing grassroots momentum against economic incentives and potential delays in regulatory consensus.