Protect Wake County Coalition: No New Hill Data Center

Thank you to everyone who attended the developer-led meeting at the New Hill Community Center. The room was full, underscoring the community’s continued concern about the proposed 300 MW “New Hill Digital Campus” data center.

The developer’s team presented an overview of the project and answered questions from residents. Discussion focused heavily on noise, water usage, power demand, traffic, and the overall fit of a hyperscale facility in a residential area.

• Noise:
  The developer’s sound consultant outlined their measurement and modeling process. Apex currently has no decibel-based limits; proposed levels of 55–60 dBA at the property line are still under discussion.
   
• Water Usage:
  The facility could require 500,000–1,000,000 gallons per day of reclaimed water during peak summer months. Residents requested more clarity on chemical use, evaporative emissions, and long-term water impacts.
   
• Power Demand:
  The project would draw ~300 MW—nearly three times Apex’s current usage. The developer expects to connect directly to Duke Energy’s transmission system, with costs for upgrades covered by the project.
   
• Traffic:
  With 200–250 employees across three shifts, a full traffic impact study will be required and must include coordination with NCDOT.
   
• Buffers:
  The current plan calls for 200–250 ft building setbacks and a 60-ft Type A landscape buffer.
   

Several important questions remain open, including those related to environmental impacts, wildlife, chemical use, power grid reliability, and emergency response. The developer has committed to providing written responses but has not given a timeline.

Protect Wake County Coalition will share the full list of outstanding questions and continue monitoring the project as it moves through Apex’s review process. Additional meetings and opportunities for public input are expected.

Across the country, communities like ours have been standing up to massive data center developments and they’ve taught us a few things about what really matters when projects like this come to town.

Key Takeaways:

• Words matter -  Developers love calling these projects “campuses.” Let’s be honest, a campus has college kids, not cooling towers. This is a heavy industrial facility, not a friendly neighborhood “digital campus.” It brings no community benefit and should be treated and zoned accordingly.
• Costs will rise - Big industrial users often get discounted power rates, which means higher bills for the rest of us.
• Taxpayers carry the burden - Developers might pay to install new water and sewer lines, but once they’re in the ground, maintenance and repairs become our problem      and our tax dollars.
• Environmental impact is real - The project flies in the face of Apex’s Sustainability Action Plan and would pump out significant greenhouse gas emissions. Read more here: Town of Apex Environmental Programs and Sustainability 
• Property rights could be at risk - Future expansion could mean new transmission lines or easements that cut across private property through eminent domain.

And here’s the big one: show up in numbers. Every person in a red shirt, every voice at the podium, and every written comment counts. Visibility matters.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Planning Board Meeting:  Monday, December 8, 4:30 pm at Town Hall
• Apex Town Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 9th 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall - Wear Red, show support. 

Together, we can protect  what makes Wake County special and keep our “Peak of Good Living” from turning into a “Peak of Power Bills.”