Durham Commission Chair Rejects Data Center Conflict Claims

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Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Lee saved his strongest comments about data centers for the end of Monday’s work session segment on that topic.

After nearly an hour of discussion, Lee delivered a forceful defense against accusations, as he described them, that his technology career creates a conflict of interest and that he supports or profits from large data center development.

“This is the first time I’ve been attacked while standing on the same side of an issue as the people attacking me,” Lee said.

Lee said he supports more than a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data centers, the massive facilities built to handle artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other data-intensive work.

“I support banning hyperscale centers in Durham, and I intend to act on that when it comes before us,” Lee said.

What Lee doesn’t support is a blanket moratorium that could prevent smaller data centers and server facilities from moving forward while the county studies long-term regulations.

That distinction placed him at odds with many of the residents who spoke Monday, as well as some fellow commissioners. They argued that the county should pause all new data center applications without exemptions until it better understands their potential effects.