Special meeting over Valara data center in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County Council held a five-hour special meeting with packed attendance and extra security to gather information about data centers, specifically focusing on the Valara data center project by Valeria Holdings. Experts addressed concerns about air quality, noise, water, gas, and electricity. A final vote on an ordinance proposing a one-year moratorium on data centers is expected in the coming weeks, influenced by the information presented at this meeting.
A special safety meeting regarding data centers in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, drew a packed crowd and required extra security. The meeting, which lasted over five hours and was still ongoing at the time of reporting, involved County Council members pressing experts for answers on various impacts of data centers. The central focus was the Valara Holdings data center project.
Experts from the Bureau of Air Quality discussed air permitting processes, noting that Valeria Holdings was issued a permit in September for 24 natural gas generators and has a pending application for 11 natural gas turbines, currently under review. Chief Rhonda Thompson, speaking for the Bureau, stated that during the approval process, they model a hypothetical worst-case scenario to measure impact and that standards are set to protect public health and the environment. Noise concerns were also a significant topic.
The Valara data center is already facing a lawsuit filed by neighbors, represented by the South Carolina Environmental Law Center, who argue the project should never have been approved as a minor project. Community, business, and environmental voices were heard during the meeting, which served as a fact-finding journey rather than a voting session.
No votes were taken, but the information gathered is expected to shape a final vote in the next few weeks on a proposed ordinance that would implement a one-year moratorium on data center development in the county.