Newberry County Council unanimously confirms year-long moratorium on data centers
Newberry County Council unanimously confirmed a 12-month moratorium on accepting new permits for data centers. This decision follows a previous unanimous vote to deny an ordinance that would have allowed a developer to purchase land, after residents cited concerns about water supply, electric rates, and noise.
Newberry County, South Carolina
The Newberry County Council unanimously enacted a 12-month moratorium on new data center permits following a decision on Wednesday night. The measure temporarily halts the acceptance of new permit applications for data center developments in the county.
This confirmation comes one month after the Council had also unanimously voted to reject an ordinance that would have enabled a developer to acquire land for a potential data center. That denial occurred after a heavily attended public hearing at the opera house, where residents voiced significant opposition.
Community members cited various concerns regarding data center expansion, including potential strain on local water supplies, a surge in electric rates, and the impact of continuous industrial noise on the area. The council's clerk indicated that the moratorium could be extended beyond its initial 12-month term.