Newberry County Council to vote on proposed AI data center development
Newberry County Council in South Carolina is scheduled to vote on the final reading of an ordinance for a proposed artificial intelligence data center near Mid-Carolina Commerce Park. Residents have raised concerns about the data center's potential impact on local water and electricity resources, prompting a petition and statements from a council member against the project. The council will also discuss a potential moratorium on future data center applications.
The Newberry County Council in South Carolina is slated to vote on Wednesday on the final reading of an ordinance concerning a proposed artificial intelligence data center. The ordinance involves land near the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park off Interstate 26 and a purchase agreement with a developer for the data center project.
Local residents, including Steve McKean and Tracy Clifford, have expressed significant concerns. McKean highlighted the agricultural nature of Newberry County, stressing that data centers' high water consumption could negatively impact vital local resources like livestock, crops, and timber. Clifford voiced worries about the strain on the electrical grid, noting that the data center could consume nearly as much electricity as the entire community. Clifford has also initiated a petition against the development, gathering approximately 1,500 signatures.
Newberry County Council Chairman Nick Shealy stated his intention to vote against the proposal, citing insufficient information regarding the long-term impacts on the community's resources. In addition to the data center vote, the council will consider a potential moratorium to temporarily halt new data center applications, allowing time to gather more information and evaluate potential effects. Newberry Electric Cooperative confirmed its obligation to serve all customers but emphasized policies are in place to ensure data centers cover the full cost of any necessary electrical infrastructure. The council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Newberry Opera House.