Beaufort County Residents Weigh In on Proposed Data Center Moratorium
Beaufort County residents voiced significant concerns regarding a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development during a recent Board of Commissioners meeting, citing issues with water, electricity, noise, and land use. The commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on the temporary moratorium ordinance on October 5, as the county currently lacks specific zoning regulations for data centers.
Beaufort County residents expressed strong opposition to a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development during a public comment period at the September 14 Board of Commissioners meeting. Residents, including Meredith Loughlin and Carolyn Connolly Blake, voiced concerns about high energy and water consumption, noise, land impacts from hazardous materials, and general land use compatibility, arguing that data centers do not align with the county's agricultural identity.
County Manager Tim Corley clarified that the county has not yet been approached by data center developers and the current discussions are preliminary, intended to prepare should such proposals arise. He noted that Beaufort County currently lacks specific zoning regulations, and the proposed moratorium would allow time to study potential impacts and create appropriate ordinances. The proposed ordinance explicitly states that data centers present "unique challenges and potential impacts not adequately addressed by the county’s current zoning regulations."
Commissioners are set to hold a formal public hearing and vote on the temporary, one-year moratorium ordinance at their next regular meeting on October 5. Residents suggested even longer moratoriums, with Carolyn Connolly Blake proposing a 50-year pause to fully assess the long-term effects of data centers observed in other states.