Data Center Discussion: Upstate county brings in state leaders amid concerns
Spartanburg County and South Carolina leaders convened to discuss data centers, particularly the Valara Holdings Center, amidst public concerns. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services Bureau of Air Quality detailed its thorough review process for air quality permits. Officials assured that all state and federal standards must be met for the facility to proceed.
South Carolina and Spartanburg County leaders recently held a meeting to address public concerns surrounding data centers, with a specific focus on the Valara Holdings Center. Spartanburg council members organized the session to gather factual information on the community impact of these facilities.
Rhonda Thompson, Air Quality Chief for the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Bureau of Air Quality, explained the rigorous permit application process. She stated that applicants must detail equipment, proposed pollution control measures, applicable state and federal regulations, worst-case air emissions, and a computerized air dispersion model demonstrating the emissions' impact on the surrounding community. All this information for Valara Holdings Center is currently under review.
Thompson confirmed that SCDES officials previously approved a permit for 24 natural gas-fired generators, which enabled the current construction on the property. She emphasized that the agency is conducting a comprehensive review of the full application and is taking all community comments seriously. Thompson reiterated that a permit would only be issued if all state and federal air quality standards are met, and ongoing monitoring, unannounced inspections, and enforcement actions would follow if a permit is granted, to protect public health and the environment.