Beaufort County residents discuss proposed one-year data center moratorium ahead of vote
Beaufort County residents voiced significant concerns regarding a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development, citing impacts on water, land, and quality of life. The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and vote on the temporary moratorium on October 5, following initial discussions about the county's lack of suitable zoning regulations.
At a recent Beaufort County Board of Commissioners meeting, residents expressed strong opposition to a proposed one-year moratorium on data center applications, with many calling for a longer halt due to environmental and quality-of-life concerns. Speakers like Meredith Loughlin emphasized the county's agricultural heritage, questioning the benefit of "data farming" that consumes resources like land and water without tangible local benefits, stating, "you can't drink data." Carolyn Connolly Blake suggested a 50-year moratorium to allow the county to study the long-term impacts observed in other states.
County Manager Tim Corley clarified that no data center developers have approached the county, and current discussions are preliminary, aimed at preparing should such conversations arise. The county currently lacks specific zoning regulations for data centers, and the proposed ordinance aims to allow time to develop appropriate guidelines to address challenges like high energy and water consumption, noise, hazardous materials, and land use compatibility. The commissioners did not take action at the initial meeting but are scheduled to hold a formal public hearing and vote on the one-year moratorium ordinance on October 5.