Edgefield County considers new rules for data centers and crypto mining amid environmental concerns
Edgefield County, South Carolina, is considering a new ordinance to regulate large-scale data centers and crypto mining operations in industrial-zoned areas. Environmental groups like Horse Creek Nature Preserve are raising concerns about potential impacts on wildlife, infrastructure, and water consumption, advocating for more public input and research. The proposed rules include a 1,000-foot setback from homes.
Edgefield County, South Carolina, is actively considering new regulations to govern large-scale data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations within its industrial zones. The proposed ordinance has already passed its initial vote, prompting concern from environmental advocates such as Randy Dedrickson of the Horse Creek Nature Preserve. Dedrickson highlighted the group's worry that county leaders are moving forward with the ordinance without fully understanding the potential environmental and social impacts, including noise pollution affecting wildlife and significant water consumption.
The draft ordinance includes provisions such as requiring new facilities to be located at least 1,000 feet from residential areas. However, opponents fear that future rezonings could allow these operations to expand beyond existing industrial areas, potentially sandwiching residential neighborhoods between multiple data centers. Horse Creek Nature Preserve also questions the ordinance's scientific basis for land development standards, citing concerns about erosion, runoff, groundwater, and whether closed-loop cooling systems will be mandated to prevent excessive water drawdown from local tables. Dedrickson also pointed out a lack of public community meetings specifically addressing the ordinance, limiting resident input, and noted that while data centers create temporary construction jobs, they offer few permanent positions. The group is advocating for a slower process with more public discussion and research before final approval.