Trump Pledge Blocks North Carolina Gas Plant for Amazon Data Center

North Carolina regulators rejected Duke Energy’s plan for a 250‑MW natural gas peaker to power Amazon’s $10B data center near Charlotte, saying it didn’t adequately show how ratepayers would be protected under Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge; the decision isn’t final and Duke can refile. Meanwhile, Amazon obtained permits for temporary diesel generators as the 21‑building campus approaches completion around 2029–2030, with opponents warning about emissions and the risk of stranded assets.