Apex Town Council and Planning Board discussions with Planning Department (notes by Bill Dam)
See Youtube video for meeting 3:30 pm to 7:15 pm
Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/live/pxIypVRyBFA?si=jKI5FklsmobvJuCk
Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/live/sOolQQM0bHs?si=atfSoWp8q_bvLp1Y
Bruce Venable presented the Planning Department’s overview of all types of data centers. See slides as I’ve just captured comments and some questions.
Key document used in Bruce’s slides: DEQ NC energy security plan September 2025
“The Energy Security Plan (ESP) evaluates threats and vulnerabilities, identifying critical risk areas in the state, with the mitigation assessment offering targeted, cost-effective recommendations to address them. Natural threats, particularly severe storms and flooding, pose the highest risk due to their likelihood and potential to cause widespread damage and prolonged disruptions. Human-caused threats such as cybersecurity and misinformation also pose a significant risk, with the growing sophistication of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure compounded by the rapid spread of misinformation, which can erode public trust and disrupt effective response efforts. The vulnerability of aging infrastructure exacerbates these risks as outdated systems are less resilient to both natural and human-induced disruptions. A unified planning and response process is critical to NC’s energy security, ensuring coordinated efforts to address vulnerabilities and enhance system reliability.”
In addition to slides shown by Bruce, see important information missing from presentation including:
Figure 7. Highest Generation Power Plants - nuclear, natural gas, and coal
Figure 32. NC Billion-Dollar Disaster Events - 1980 to 2024 (shows increasing costs especially from severe storms
Figure 62. Vulnerability Assessment Scoring - several categories indicate severe risks
Shane Reese reported 1/22/26 20% global energy from AI and wants more recent info on national gas and coal use for forward looking power needs.
Delayed coal retirements see Duke Energy plan. Mr Kramer from Duke said adding future nuclear at Sheron Harris and soonest SMR in 2037.
Location of “BESS battery storage in New Hill 365 MW” Charlotte-Belmont, NC the first BESS is announced.
Shane wants energy mix info from Duke Power like large battery site in Knightdale. He says current plan Duke manager says no extensions of coal power?
According to slides Bruce showed, 14% increase in electric utility cost on 2027 for Apex residential but only 6.4% for industrial customers.
Andrew Tate with Duke Power economic group new report for 100MW+ derisk rate increases
AEP utility in Ohio set tariffs for data centers.
Shane asked details on backup power types and emissions . Bruce did not mention diesel generators! See Wall Street Journal from 6 January 2026 per Shane on powering data centers for power overages: “Power-grid operators are asking tech companies to supply their own electricity or go dark at times, but many are pushing back…Power officials have been raising concerns that the grid isn’t equipped to handle the sheer number of data centers tech companies are seeking to build. They say it will take many years to build new transmission lines and power plants needed to support the surge in demand while keeping the lights on for other customers.”
Also see: 22 January 2026 WSJ “Trump Administration Taps Data Centers for Backup Power Ahead of Snowstorm. The move is unusual because data-center operators and other businesses generally don’t distribute energy to the grid. The Energy Department is ordering U.S. grid operators to make backup electricity generation from facilities such as data centers available in case of power outages caused by the weekend’s expected winter storm, its latest extraordinary step to address electricity shortages and high prices.
Sue Wu asked if Bruce compared existing data centers in MD or GA? Impacts to people and she wants rate increases and impacts? Arno Zegerman says different utilities may not apply here. Shane asked about power use efficiency PUR.
Water use- Shane provided into the record 12 December 2025 Wired article how much use depends on location. “Fears about AI data centers’ water use have exploded. Experts say the reality is far more complicated than people think” Shane mentioned Cornell professor but article blocked by paywall. (Need public records request?)
Arno asked about evaporation and saving condensed water? He also asked if excess hot water can be reused? Bruce said only cold countries do use waste hot water.
Mayor asked about water pressure deferred to Jonathan Jacobs.
Sue wants a comparison of air vs water cooled systems. Bruce said air cooled more expensive and hot water discharge and pH issues for water treatment concerns.
Shane asked if 24 hour water backup for reclaimed water is sufficient vs treatment plant down for maintenance two weeks a year. No clear response.
Terry asked about air impacts and did Bruce provide complete list? He did not mention PFAS.
Apex water capacity presented by Jonathan Jacobs - water most impactful from dc. Shane wants median and not average values. About 80% of wastewater flow goes to New Hill
Waste water treatment plant. Expansion up to 30 MGD in 20 years.
Apex owns 34% but uses 50% of plant so will need to pay more. Cost share with data center?
Shane asked about distribution and droughts. Jon confusing potable and reclaimed water.
Arno asked capacity to take reclaimed water Jon said limited to 1 MGD so the dc would need to store .5 MGD. Jon couldn’t answer downstream Cape Fear River obligations.
2023 Apex Water Shortage Response Plan does not consider hospital or data centers. Jon couldn’t recall requirements in conservation plan nor discuss impacts of droughts. Terry thinks using reclaimed water won’t be impacted by droughts. Permit of 30 MGD used by downstream users and no requirement to discharge. Another guy on panel said past lawsuit settlement with expected discharge into Cape Fear.
Jon referenced Heather Cheslek with Black and Veatch (in Cary) for water quality parameters for data centers but did not list PFAS.
Shane asked about aerosols from wastewater but Jon said he’s not an expert. Shane noticed lack of PFAS but Jon doesn’t know. Said emerging contaminants by EPA. Shane seemed upset with Q&A. No regs on wastewater discharge per Jon.
Jeff Hastings on Planning Board asked about wastewater flow. Veridia already approved might take available capacity so Jon said Apex needs to own more of the treatment plant.
Jon confusing 1.5 MGD wastewater use to water used by homes?
Environmental impacts with Bruce presenting. Shane and Aron asked about diesel, biodiesel, and natural gas air impacts.
Terry wants prohibition use of groundwater.
Arno asked about comparing Sharon Harris biocides in evaporation to data center.
Bruce said 90 diesel tanks as example. Shane asked if Sharon Harris evaporates wastewater?
Discussed noise and Shane mentioned HeatMap News of AI expert admitting dc problems
See peak load plan as generators might run longer and how often scheduled. Shane mentioned neighbor works in AI went to Dallas hotel a mile away from dc could not sleep all week. Noise mitigation measures and standards or continuous monitoring. Can they enforce air quality.
Sue wants preference towards residential homes if brownout.
Land use zoning, no overlays yet of proposed dc
Substation EMF not mentioned
Shane’s big concern about LLCs leaving during decommissioning.
Amanda Bunce said no temporary permits in UDO.
Arno said he works with data centers and wants size info increased for hyperscale dc
Sue said rental equipment no property taxes and Terry said state may waive in future
Bruce avoided construction traffic impacts and said not much traffic to dc
They will finish discussion at meeting next week.