Data centers under further scrutiny by York, S.C., planning officials before public hearing
York County, SC, is advancing a proposed nine-month moratorium on data center development, with the County Council having passed its second reading. The pause aims to allow officials to examine zoning, land usage, and the economic and environmental impacts, specifically addressing high electricity and water consumption. A public hearing and third reading are scheduled for July 13, though an existing QTS project in Lake Wylie is expected to be exempt due to prior approval.
The York County Planning Commission has recommended a nine-month moratorium on data center development, following the York County Council's unanimous second reading approval of the measure. A public hearing and third reading are scheduled for July 13, when the proposal will be further considered. County leaders indicate the moratorium is designed to provide time for officials to assess current zoning regulations, land use policies, and the broader economic and environmental impacts associated with data centers.
Concerns surrounding data centers largely stem from their substantial electricity and water consumption. According to the International Energy Agency, a single hyper-scale data center can consume as much electricity annually as 100,000 homes, while the Environmental and Energy Study Institute reports that large facilities may use up to 5 million gallons of water daily. Planning Commissioner Derrick Williams voiced a common sentiment, questioning the local benefits of data center development despite company gains. Interim County Attorney Laura Dover clarified that the proposed moratorium would likely not impact QTS's previously approved $8 billion hyper-scale data center project in Lake Wylie.
Should the moratorium be approved, York County would join other South Carolina communities in implementing temporary pauses on data center development. Neighboring Chester County enacted a six-month moratorium on June 18, and Spartanburg, Chesterfield, and Newberry counties are also actively considering similar measures.