Laurens County Council votes to approve one-year data center pause

The Laurens County Council voted unanimously to approve a one-year moratorium on new data center development within the county. The decision was made following a meeting where residents and officials expressed varying perspectives on data center projects, with the council aiming to use this pause to develop appropriate regulations.

County officials stated that the goal of the moratorium is not to permanently block data centers, but to provide the county with sufficient time to determine how such facilities should be regulated. Concerns raised during the debate included the potential environmental impact, specifically regarding large battery storage systems, backup diesel or natural gas generators, and the hazardous materials associated with data centers.

One speaker highlighted the potential strain on volunteer fire districts, questioning their capacity and equipment to respond to emergencies like large battery fires. Another speaker emphasized the necessity of data centers for cloud storage and digital information, noting that water usage in these facilities can be efficiently recycled and is comparable to the amount used by golf courses. Vice Chairman Matthew Brownlee indicated that the council plans to engage with residents, planners, and industry experts during this period.