Laurens County Council votes to approve one-year data center pause
Laurens County Council in South Carolina unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development in unincorporated areas. The pause aims to allow officials to develop specific regulations regarding water use, electricity, environmental impacts, and zoning for data centers. The goal is not to ban data centers but to ensure their development aligns with county terms and resident satisfaction.
The Laurens County Council in South Carolina has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development within the county's unincorporated areas. The decision, passed with a six to zero vote on its third and final reading, aims to provide county officials with time to establish comprehensive regulations for future data center projects.
Vice Chairman Matthew Brownlee, who sponsored the pause, stated that the period will be used to gather input from residents, planners, and industry experts. Key areas of focus include water usage, electricity demands, and environmental impacts. The county intends to learn from other communities that have experienced public pushback against data center projects and adopt a proactive approach.
Brownlee emphasized that the county is not entirely against data centers but wants to ensure any development aligns with local terms and citizen satisfaction. Additionally, with Laurens County currently lacking specific zoning, officials plan to explore the creation of development rules tailored for data centers in particular areas. The cities of Laurens and Clinton will retain control over data center development within their respective city limits.