Judge punts decision on Spartanburg data center construction
A state Circuit Court judge deferred a decision on the classification and construction of the controversial Valara data center project in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The project's classification as a major or minor development will determine the required review processes and whether public hearings are needed. Multiple lawsuits are ongoing, seeking to halt the project.
A state Circuit Court judge in South Carolina has deferred a decision on the continued construction of the proposed $3 billion Valara data center project in Spartanburg. The core issue revolves around classifying the Valara project as either a major or minor development. This classification is crucial as it dictates whether decisions can be handled by county planning staff or if the project requires public hearings through the Spartanburg County Planning Commission.
Construction at the Valara site is currently ongoing despite the pending court decision. This legal dispute follows a previous challenge dismissed by the state Public Service Commission, which had argued the site constituted a power plant. Additionally, other lawsuits are in progress, aiming to completely halt the project's development.
The Valara project is distinct from another local endeavor, the Lighthouse data center project, which was recently halted by the Spartanburg County Planning Commission. The Spartanburg County Council is scheduled to discuss the Valara project in the upcoming week.