Six-month data center moratorium in Chester County

Chester County, South Carolina, has enacted a six-month moratorium on new data center developments, responding to significant resident concerns. Local leaders approved the pause after a meeting where residents voiced anxieties about potential noise, health impacts, and the broader implications of artificial intelligence technologies. Concerns were articulated by residents, including one who stated, "These data centers will ruin life for all future generations, our children and our grandchildren. AI overall will affect many aspects of our lives in profoundly negative ways that you all don't know what you don't know."

The county-wide moratorium, which affects communities such as Fort Lawn, Richburg, and Chester, aims to provide officials with time to thoroughly understand the impacts of data center projects and establish appropriate regulations. During this period, Chester County will not accept, process, or approve new data center applications. The move follows similar moratoriums in other nearby areas, including Rowan County and Boone (one-year), York County (nine-month), and Charlotte (150-day).

While no formal data center applications have been filed in Chester County yet, developers have expressed interest. In anticipation, the county has already adopted new zoning standards that address setbacks from homes, landscaping, noise limits, and water efficiency requirements. Two upcoming workshops, featuring technical experts from USC Centers for Sustainable Growth and representatives from utility companies, will delve into power and water concerns. Some residents are advocating for an extension of the moratorium or a complete ban on data centers.