Environmental group seeks to halt development of $3B data center in Spartanburg County
An environmental group has filed a motion seeking to halt the construction of a $3 billion data center and power plant in Spartanburg County, alleging the county misrepresented the project's scope to avoid public review. The group, Southern Environmental Law Center, is concerned about the project's size, its 460-megawatt gas-fired power plant, and its impact on residential neighborhoods, citing noise, air pollution, and wildlife concerns. Meanwhile, the Spartanburg County Council has delayed a vote on a proposed year-long moratorium on data center development.
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has filed a motion seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the construction of a $3 billion data center and its accompanying 460-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The SELC alleges that Spartanburg County misled the public by classifying the "Valara Project" as a "minor development," thereby allowing it to bypass essential public review processes.
The environmental group asserts that the power plant alone could generate enough electricity for every home in Spartanburg County. The project, slated for nearly 300 acres on South Pine Street, is situated amidst multiple residential neighborhoods. Residents and the SELC have raised significant concerns about potential noise pollution, air quality degradation, and adverse impacts on local wildlife resulting from the development.
In a related development, the Spartanburg County Council recently postponed a crucial third and final vote on a proposed year-long moratorium on data center construction within the county. The vote has been rescheduled for September 21.