Council approves second reading on one-year data center moratorium
Jasper County Council has unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance for a one-year moratorium on new data centers in its unincorporated areas. This temporary ban is intended to allow staff time to study environmental impacts, particularly concerning water and electricity use, and develop comprehensive regulations. A third and final reading of the ordinance is pending.
The Jasper County Council in South Carolina is moving forward with a proposed one-year moratorium on new data centers within its unincorporated areas. During its September 21 meeting, the council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance to implement this temporary ban, citing significant concerns over the large amounts of water and electricity data centers require.
The moratorium aims to provide county staff with time to thoroughly study the potential impacts of data center development and to create appropriate zoning and land development regulations. Jasper County Director of Planning and Building Services, along with staff, brought the ordinance forward, emphasizing the need to review existing provisions and ensure adequate controls for data center location, design, size, density, land use, and infrastructure.
A public hearing was held where residents, including Ridgeland resident Nancy Lowther, and conservation groups, such as the Coastal Conservation League represented by Grant McClure, voiced strong support for the moratorium. Both highlighted the strain data centers place on local infrastructure and natural resources, referencing projects in neighboring counties and the substantial water usage by existing facilities.
While the second reading was approved, a third and final reading is required for the ordinance to be fully enacted. However, the approval of the first reading on September 8 invoked the pending ordinance doctrine, granting the county interim authority to enforce the proposed requirements before final adoption. Staff plans to have a comprehensive ordinance regulating data centers, data processing facilities, and crypto mining operations ready for adoption by the time the moratorium expires.