GOP Senate Hopeful Michael Whatley's Energy Investments Scrutinized Amidst Data Center Boom

Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina and former chair of the Republican National Committee, holds between $246,000 and $690,000 in energy investments with companies linked to the growing data center industry in the state. These holdings, detailed in his federal financial reporting, have drawn attention as the expansion of data centers becomes a national issue concerning zoning, energy consumption, and resource use.

Whatley's reported investments include between $149,000 and $410,000 in Duke Energy, a primary utility provider in North Carolina. He also holds between $80,000 and $200,000 in Dominion Energy and between $16,000 and $65,000 in GE Vernova, a company that produces equipment used by data centers. Additionally, he has investments ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 in Arista Networks. While some of these companies do not directly build data centers, they provide essential services or products that support their operations.

Further scrutiny comes from Whatley's financial disclosure, which shows $361,000 from CAPCVentures LLC for consulting services in 2025. This firm lists GE Vernova as a client, alongside Centrus Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association. Reports indicate he earned approximately $755,000 from the same firm between 2022 and 2025.

In response to questions about potential conflicts of interest, Whatley's campaign stated that he supports restrictions on stock trading for members of Congress, referencing the "Stop Insider Trading Act." The campaign also asserted that Whatley advocates for elected officials to place assets in qualified blind trusts. His stance, according to a campaign spokesperson, is that data centers should be self-sufficient, with costs borne by Big Tech and no burden shifted to residential ratepayers. The campaign emphasized that local communities should decide on data center projects.

The issue of data center expansion and its impact on local resources has become a significant point of contention in North Carolina's Senate race, pitting Whatley against Democratic incumbent Roy Cooper.

Whatley's campaign has accused Cooper of actively recruiting data centers and subsidizing them with taxpayer money during his tenure as governor. However, existing state tax breaks for data centers were largely in place before Cooper took office in 2017, including a 2016 statute that expanded exemptions for companies investing a minimum of $75 million over five years.

Under Cooper's governorship, the state did approve grants, such as the Job Development Investment Grants (JDIGs), intended to spur job growth. Apple received an $845 million grant over 39 years, contingent on job creation, though the company has reportedly not yet met its projected goals. Cooper's campaign, in turn, criticized Whatley, framing him as a lobbyist for utility companies who is not responsive to community concerns about rising utility bills attributed to data center energy consumption.

Cooper's campaign has stated that he believes local communities should have the final say on new projects, including the possibility of moratoriums, and that data centers must cover their energy costs without passing them on to consumers.

Having both secured their party nominations, Whatley and Cooper are set to face each other in North Carolina's general election on November 3.