Spartanburg County Council passes data center moratorium with several amendments
Spartanburg County Council approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers larger than 65 megawatts, with a 5-1 vote, despite some resident frustration. The decision allows smaller facilities and those already approved, like the Valara data center, to proceed. The council chairman stated the pause provides time to study infrastructure impacts amid public concerns about power, water, and air quality.
Spartanburg County Council voted 5-1 to enact a one-year moratorium on new data centers exceeding 65 megawatts, following months of public concern. Councilwoman Jessica Coker cast the sole dissenting vote, citing a lack of evidence for public safety threats. The approved measure includes several amendments, crucially exempting facilities under 65 megawatts and those that have already received county approval, such as the controversial Valara data center currently under construction.
Council Chairman Mo Abusaft explained that the pause provides the county essential time to assess wider infrastructure impacts, addressing ongoing public outcry regarding power grid strain, water resources, and air quality. Despite the temporary halt, many residents expressed frustration, arguing that the 65-megawatt threshold still permits "massive facilities," given that federal standards classify data centers over 20 megawatts as "large" or "hyperscale." The moratorium also does not apply to routine business IT infrastructure or digital cryptocurrency mining operations, which are regulated separately.