Sumter County could take step to rescind data center moratorium during council meeting
The Sumter County Council advanced a first reading to rescind the county’s data center moratorium, which has about six weeks remaining. The council also advanced a separate reading on standards addressing data center water security, cooling systems, noise, electrical demand and environmental concerns, while residents voiced opposition and requested further safeguards.
Sumter County Council advanced a first reading on rescinding the county’s data center moratorium, which was adopted two months earlier to pause approvals for new data center permits. The moratorium is scheduled to expire in roughly a month and a half, and the next reading on its rescission is set for two weeks later.
The council also advanced a second reading on additional data center standards, including water security, cooling-system protocols, noise studies and compliance testing. County Communications Coordinator Joe Perry said the proposed standards respond to residents’ concerns about electricity, land use, water consumption and noise. Residents including Matthew Morse supported stronger guidelines but called for more discussion of long-term environmental and utility impacts, while others opposed locating data centers in the county because of noise and other concerns.