Judge to consider halting Spartanburg data center construction Thursday
A judge is set to hear a request to halt construction of the Valara data center in Spartanburg County, SC, due to a lawsuit questioning its "minor" development classification. Local residents and a national advocacy group are actively opposing the project, raising concerns about its approval process, potential environmental impacts, and infrastructure costs. Additionally, the Spartanburg County Council is preparing for a final vote on a one-year data center moratorium.
The Valara data center project in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, faces significant legal and political challenges. A judge is scheduled to consider a request on Thursday to halt construction of the nearly $3 billion facility. This legal action stems from a lawsuit filed by local residents who contend that Spartanburg County improperly classified the Valara project as a "minor" development, thereby circumventing the extensive public review process typically required for "major" developments. Despite the ongoing legal battle, construction at the site is continuing.
Adding to the opposition, the "Data Center Revolt" bus tour, organized by the group Humans First, recently stopped in Spartanburg. Evan Mulch, a Spartanburg County resident, voiced strong criticism of the project's approval process, calling it "shady." He argued that nuisance laws, similar to those applied to agricultural operations, should be used to address potential environmental issues and shut down the data center. State Representative Thomas Beach, whose district covers parts of Greenville, Anderson, and Pickens counties, also raised concerns about the project's noise, dust, and potential strain on local water and electrical grids. Beach highlighted a proposed bill, which State Rep. April Cromer plans to refile in January, aimed at requiring data centers to cover their own infrastructure costs, including electricity and water, rather than burdening residents.
Further complicating the situation for data center developers in the area, the Spartanburg County Council is slated to hold its third and final vote next week on a proposed one-year moratorium on data center construction. The article emphasizes the importance of continued citizen pressure on elected officials to ensure transparency and public participation in decisions regarding such large-scale developments.