Jasper County Council approves 1-year moratorium on data centers
Jasper County Council has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center and cryptocurrency mining proposals in unincorporated areas. This decision followed public concerns about noise, traffic, power usage, and environmental impacts, and will allow the county to establish operational standards and update zoning regulations.
The Jasper County Council in South Carolina has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center and cryptocurrency mining operations within unincorporated areas of the county. The decision, made on Monday night, follows a public hearing where numerous residents expressed concerns regarding the potential impacts of such developments.
Community members cited issues including increased noise, traffic congestion, high power consumption, and broader environmental concerns associated with large-scale data facilities. One speaker urged county leaders to observe the impacts already seen in neighboring counties where data centers have been approved. County officials stated that the 12-month pause will provide sufficient time to establish clear operational standards, update existing property zoning regulations, and proactively address potential community impacts before any new facilities are built.