Valara data center construction at center of Spartanburg Co. court hearing
A court hearing was held in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, regarding the Valara data center, addressing lawsuits against its developers and a motion for an injunction to pause construction. The primary arguments revolved around whether the project constitutes a 'minor' or 'major' land development under county ordinances, and the transparency of its scope. The judge deferred a decision on the motions, allowing construction to continue.
The future of the Valara data center in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, remains uncertain following a recent court hearing where a judge considered three motions, ultimately deferring a decision. The hearing addressed motions to dismiss lawsuits filed against the data center's developers, Spartanburg County, and County Administrator Cole Alverson. Additionally, the judge heard a motion for an injunction, filed by attorneys representing Concerned Citizens of Spartanburg County, aiming to halt construction.
A central point of contention was the classification of the Valara data center as either a 'minor' or 'major' land use development under Spartanburg County's Unified Land Management Ordinance (ULMO). Stephanie Burton, representing Spartanburg County, argued the project falls under the minor category based on the ULMO's wording. Conversely, Carl Brzorad and Catherine Wannamaker, senior attorneys at Southern Environmental Law Center representing the citizens, contended that the project, described as the largest development in county history with a 450-megawatt power capacity, should clearly be designated as 'major' under industrial park comparisons.
Arguments also focused on the transparency of the project. Legal counsel for Valara asserted that the project's scope, including its $2.8 billion cost, was made clear through county council meetings, news reports, and air permit submissions dating back to 2025 and 2026, with nearly $1 billion already spent on construction. However, Attorney Wannamaker countered that residents were initially misled, being told in early 2025 that the project was a redevelopment of the former Kohler site and 'not a data center,' with full details of its massive scale and power generation only becoming apparent later that year.
The hearing also touched upon potential harm to residents from dust, light, and noise, which Valara's attorneys claimed were being addressed but did not constitute 'irreparable harm.' The judge did not issue a ruling on the motions to dismiss or the injunction request, stating he would review all submitted documents and issue orders in the coming days or weeks. Meanwhile, construction on the Valara data center is continuing.