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Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Charlotte, NC|Independent Local News
Strolling Ballantyne

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policy

Low Inflow Protocol

Five-stage regional drought-response policy operated jointly by Duke Energy and the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group. Stages: 0 (watch) → 1 (voluntary conservation) → 2 (mandatory restrictions) → 3 → 4 (emergency). Stage determined by three indicators: reservoir storage, inflow rate, U.S. Drought Monitor classification. Duke evaluates monthly.

Coverage (4 articles)

Six Things to Know from a Heavy Week in Charlotte

Jack Beckett·

Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal, and the MPTA's July 1 deadline.

Other coverage in the Mercury Local network

Six Things to Know from a Heavy Week in Charlotte

Fourth Ward Charlotte·

Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal, and the MPTA's July 1 deadline.

Six Things to Know from a Heavy Week in Charlotte

Strolling Firethorne·

Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal, and the MPTA's July 1 deadline.

A 2.5-Million-Square-Foot Data Center Is Going Up off University City Boulevard.

The Charlotte Mercury·

The Charlotte City Council deadlocked 5-5 Monday night on whether to even schedule a public hearing on a temporary moratorium for new data center approvals. Mayor Vi Lyles broke the tie, voting no. Meanwhile a 2.5-million-square-foot, 300-megawatt data center campus is going up at 10800 University City Boulevard — and under Charlotte's current zoning, the council had no role in approving it.

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