Spartanburg County leaders question pollution monitoring as Valara data center adds more turbines
Spartanburg County leaders are questioning the pollution monitoring protocols for the Valara data center, a nearly $3 billion project under construction. Concerns focus on formaldehyde emissions from natural gas turbines and the accuracy of monitoring methods. Simultaneously, the County Council is considering a one-year moratorium on new data center projects, and a lawsuit seeking to halt the Valara project is currently under judicial review.
The Spartanburg County Public Safety Committee held its third meeting to discuss the Valara data center, a substantial $3 billion project already under construction on South Pine Street. A representative for Valara addressed concerns about a recently updated air permit, which allows for the addition of eleven natural gas turbines with a total capacity of 409 megawatts, comparable to the power usage of 400,000 homes.
Council members primarily focused on formaldehyde emissions, a hazardous air pollutant not continuously monitored by the permit, and questioned the accuracy of planned post-startup testing. They also challenged the use of air-quality data from Greenville instead of a closer Spartanburg monitor for background pollution levels, although the Valara representative asserted this resulted in a more conservative estimate. Residents expressed distrust in the company, citing perceived changes in project plans and the timing of public discussions occurring deep into construction.
Despite the Valara project's existing approval, the county's options to intervene are limited. However, a judge is currently reviewing a lawsuit aimed at stopping the project. Separately, the Spartanburg County Council conducted a third and final reading on a proposed one-year moratorium on new data center developments, a measure that has already halted at least one other potential project.