Newberry County Council rejects data center proposal, enacts moratorium
Newberry County Council rejected a purchase agreement for Project Altair, a proposed data center, and approved the first reading of a twelve-month moratorium on data center permits. This action followed significant public opposition from residents concerned about the project's environmental impact. The county plans to use the moratorium period to develop new data center regulations.
The Newberry County Council has decided to halt a proposed data center project, known as Project Altair, by rejecting its purchase agreement. Concurrently, the council approved the first reading of a twelve-month moratorium on data center permits, a measure expected to become official in July.
The decisions were made after dozens of Newberry residents voiced strong opposition at the Newberry Opera House, expressing concerns about the data center's potential harm to the environment and community. Council members, after hearing public comments, voted 4-2 to pass the first reading of the moratorium. Councilman Travis Rieder, who voted against the measure, believes a year might not be sufficient to develop the necessary regulations. County officials intend to use the moratorium period to develop comprehensive data center regulations with public input, and residents have expressed a desire for increased transparency in the process.