Laurens County Council to hold public hearing on data center permit delay ordinance
Laurens County Council is holding a public hearing and third reading for an ordinance to delay permits for new data center construction. The proposed delay, supported by local citizens, aims to allow for further study amidst concerns about land use, noise, water, and electricity consumption.
The Laurens County Council is set to conduct a public hearing and a third, final reading for an ordinance proposing a delay in granting permits for new data center construction. The meeting, which will also cover changes to major subdivision approvals and a solar farm ordinance, is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse in downtown Laurens.
Council Vice-chairman Matthew Brownlee proposed the ordinance, which has received general support from Laurens County citizens in previous readings. Critics of data centers often cite concerns about their extensive land use, low-frequency hum affecting mental health, high water consumption for cooling, and strain on local electricity grids if they lack dedicated power sources. Furthermore, the national context of data center growth, including examination of tax breaks in several states, and remarks from President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance on the AI boom's economic and political implications, are part of the broader discussion surrounding these developments.