Stream Data Centers pulls out of controversial Marion County project
Stream Data Centers has announced its withdrawal from the "Project Liberty" data center initiative in Marion County, South Carolina, citing "utility timing constraints." This decision follows significant community opposition, driven by concerns over governmental transparency and the project's potential environmental impact, particularly on local water resources.
Stream Data Centers has officially withdrawn from Project Liberty, a controversial data center development in Marion County, South Carolina. The company cited "utility timing constraints" as the reason for its decision, bringing a sigh of relief to local residents and organizations who had vehemently opposed the project.
The Marion County Council had initially passed Project Liberty, also known as the Marion County Data Center, in January. However, the approval process drew criticism for its lack of transparency, with residents and businesses reporting that no information was shared with the community until after the council signed non-disclosure agreements. This fueled widespread frustration and calls for greater accountability from the council.
Opposition groups, including the Winyah Rivers Alliance, voiced significant concerns about the data center's potential environmental impact. Debra Buffkin (phonetic) from the Alliance highlighted worries about the project's substantial water consumption, fearing it could exacerbate drought conditions and further deplete already struggling rivers, directly affecting local communities.