By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer
September 19, 2026
REGIONAL NEWS: The North Carolina Utilities Commission has rejected a proposed natural‑gas expansion sought by Duke Energy to support a large Amazon data‑center campus under construction near Charlotte, signaling increased scrutiny of how rapidly expanding digital‑infrastructure projects may affect statewide electricity planning and customer costs.
The half‑billion‑dollar project would have added new gas‑fired generation primarily for Amazon’s 21‑building facility.
Regulators said Duke did not demonstrate that the additional capacity was necessary or that ratepayers would be protected from covering costs tied to a single corporate customer.
The Commission noted that statewide demand forecasts driven by data‑center growth are still under review.
Amazon has secured permits for temporary diesel generation while construction continues. State officials said the Commission’s decision does not prevent Duke from refiling but reflects a need for clearer evidence as utilities respond to rising electricity loads from large technology campuses.
The ruling comes as multiple data‑center proposals across the Southeast prompt questions about long‑term grid planning, fuel choices, and how costs are allocated among residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
This content was developed with AI assistance and subsequently reviewed and refined by Coastal Carolina News staff.
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