No Laurens County data-center permits for 12 months

Laurens County, South Carolina, has officially enacted a 12-month moratorium on accepting, reviewing, or issuing development permits for data centers. The County Council approved the measure without opposition at its July 13 meeting, with Vice-chairman Matthew Brownlee presenting it as a proactive step to prevent being caught off guard by a large-scale data center proposal.

Council Member Brown Patterson expressed that while no active data center proposals are currently on the table, the county lacks the necessary electrical infrastructure to support such facilities. He urged the county planning staff to draft data center regulations within 30 days to ensure comprehensive rules are in place before the moratorium expires. The approved ordinance explicitly halts various permit processes, including rezoning applications, conditional use permits, and building permits for data centers for the duration of the moratorium.

During this period, county staff, the Planning Commission, and County Council are tasked with evaluating and developing recommendations for water, wastewater, and electrical infrastructure requirements. The article also notes broader national discussions and opposition to data centers, citing examples like Project Tango in Florida, opposition in Nashville, and Meta's Hyperion Data Center in Louisiana. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York and lawmakers in Texas and Indianapolis are also mentioned regarding their actions on data center moratoriums or regulations.

Local activists, including future Laurens County Council member Nancy Garrison, have raised concerns about the lack of specific ordinances for data centers, their potential strain on county resources like roads and emergency services, and increased utility demands. Public comments during a recent input session also highlighted community worries about taxes and infrastructure preparedness for new growth, including potential data centers.