Pickens County Considers Data Center Moratorium
Pickens County Council is scheduled to consider the first reading of a proposed six-month moratorium on new data centers. The pause would give officials time to study regulations, while Chairman Alex Saitta has expressed opposition and a developer has already asked about locating a facility in the county.
Pickens County Council is scheduled to consider the first reading of a six-month moratorium on new data center development. County Administrator Ken Roper said a developer recently contacted county staff about the possibility of locating a facility in Pickens County, prompting officials to begin considering a temporary pause while they study potential regulations.
Council Chairman Alex Saitta has voiced opposition to data centers and indicated that a project would likely need council support for incentives. The proposal comes amid a broader wave of temporary moratoriums across South Carolina, as counties assess potential effects on electricity, water, roads and land-use policy. Monday's meeting would begin the required three-reading process rather than enact the moratorium immediately.