Spartanburg County Council asks state for east side air quality monitoring station
The Spartanburg County Council passed a resolution asking the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services to establish an air quality monitoring station on the city’s east side. The request follows concerns about air pollution from the NorthMark and Valara data center’s 457-megawatt natural gas turbines, though the resolution is not binding on the state agency.
Spartanburg County Council approved a resolution asking the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services to place an air quality monitoring station on the east side of Spartanburg. The proposed area is south of Highway 29, north of Highway 9 and east of Old Petrie Road, near communities surrounding the NorthMark and Valara data center on South Pine Street.
Council members cited concerns about air pollution from the facility’s 457-megawatt natural gas turbines. DES has already approved the data center’s permit with testing and monitoring requirements and is developing a replacement station near Tiger Park because the city plans to redevelop the existing Oakland Avenue site. DES spokesperson Laura Renwick said the agency would meet with county officials, while council members acknowledged that the resolution does not compel the agency to act.