An environmental organization is challenging two state air permits connected to Amazon’s planned data-center development in Hamlet.
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the petition on behalf of the Richmond County Coalition for Justice and Black Empowerment. The challenge concerns permits issued August 28 by the North Carolina Division of Air Quality to Amazon and Duke Energy.
Petition questions combined emissions
According to the Richmond County Daily Journal, Amazon’s permit covers 588 emergency backup diesel generators. Duke Energy’s permit covers 57 temporary generators intended to provide bridge power for as long as 364 days.
The petition alleges regulators should have evaluated the combined emissions under federal Clean Air Act requirements. Those arguments remain allegations within an ongoing administrative challenge, and no final ruling has been announced.
The state Department of Environmental Quality declined to comment to the newspaper about the pending litigation.
Amazon responds
Amazon Web Services has said backup generators are generally idle and are operated primarily during testing or power interruptions. The company also says many of the generators use advanced emissions-control technology.
The petition does not by itself establish that either permit violates the law, and no order stopping construction was reported. The case could, however, shape environmental oversight and the project’s future development.
Source: Richmond County Daily Journal.
