Newberry County passes 1-year data center moratorium
Newberry County, South Carolina, enacted a one-year moratorium on data center permits due to public concerns over noise, electricity, and water usage. This action follows similar patterns in other nearby counties, including a shorter pause enacted by Augusta commissioners. The moratorium was a response to community opposition.
Newberry County, South Carolina, has passed a one-year moratorium on all new data center permits, a decision made at a packed public meeting where residents expressed concerns over potential noise, electricity consumption, and water usage. The ban, which prompted cheers from the crowd, reflects a growing trend of local opposition to data center development across the Southeast, particularly in Georgia counties and the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area).
This action by Newberry County is part of a broader pattern seen in the region. Earlier in the week, Augusta commissioners in Georgia approved a 49-day pause on data center development, following frustrations from the Haynes Station neighborhood regarding a future data center project. However, the Augusta moratorium does not apply to the specific project causing local concern, and many residents felt a 49-day ban was insufficient compared to the requested one-year halt. The article also briefly mentions the unrelated charges against Dewayne Simmons for threatening South Carolina Rep. Seth Rose and an announcement by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson regarding a boutique owner.