Data center development in Spartanburg County sparks ongoing protest. Here's what to know
Nearly 30 Spartanburg County residents protested construction of the Valara data center, citing water use, air quality and limited public input. The county approved a one-year moratorium on most new data center development, while a lawsuit challenging the project's classification was dismissed and officials advanced new protections for the site.
Residents and environmental advocates continue to oppose the approximately $3 billion Valara data center and private power plant under construction in Spartanburg County. Protesters have raised concerns about water consumption, air pollution, oversight and the lack of public hearings. NorthMark Compute and Cloud has said the facility could use an average of 1.2 million gallons of water per day at full buildout, substantially above an earlier estimate.
The Southern Environmental Law Center sued to halt construction, arguing Spartanburg County improperly classified the project as a minor land development. A judge dismissed the lawsuit in October. County Council subsequently approved a one-year moratorium on most new data center projects, although it does not apply to Valara, and approved the first reading of a development agreement that would add light, noise and environmental protections at the site.