Full Breakdown
Roy Cooper Targets Data Center Energy Costs in Senate Campaign
8/31/2026, 3:08:34 AM
Core Event: Policy Shift on Data Center Power Use
Former governor Roy Cooper, now the Democratic Senate nominee in North Carolina, is urging voters to require data-center operators to cover the full cost of the electricity they consume. He says the rapid expansion of these facilities is driving up utility rates for households and small businesses.
Background & Context
During Cooper’s two-term governorship (2017-2025), the state expanded tax incentives for data centers under statute G.S. 105-164.13, offering exemptions on sales, server, storage and networking taxes for projects investing at least $75 million over five years. The incentives spurred a steep rise in construction, attracting firms such as Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Segra and GIGA. Apple’s 2019 project in Maiden received a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) worth $845 million over 39 years, plus $112.4 million for rural infrastructure.
Data & Statistics
- 15× jump in data-center construction since the tax-break expansion.
- 37 companies obtained state tax exemptions between 2015 and 2025.
- Apple JDIG: $845 million (39 years) + $112.4 million for infrastructure.
- Corvid JDIG: $9 million over 12 years.
Official Statements & Responses
Cooper’s campaign frames the new stance as part of a “make stuff cost less” agenda, emphasizing that local communities should set limits on data-center expansion and require operators to fund their own power generation. Democratic Governor Josh Stein, Cooper’s successor, also highlighted utility-rate concerns, calling Duke Energy’s proposed increase “simply too high” and urging action to keep life affordable for families.
Why It Matters
If enacted, Cooper’s proposals could compel developers to invest in on-site renewable generation or pay higher utility fees, potentially easing the burden on residential ratepayers. Politically, the issue lets Cooper differentiate himself from Republican opponents by positioning himself as a defender of consumer costs while still supporting high-tech industry growth.
Verbatim Quote
> “We need to make sure data centers pay for their own power and we need to encourage them to build their own energy sources because right now that’s causing rates to go up for consumers and we can’t have that.” — Roy Cooper
