Laurens County passes first reading of ordinance imposing 12-month moratorium on data centers
Laurens County Council unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance for a 12-month moratorium on data center development. The temporary ban aims to provide time for county staff, the planning commission, and the council to evaluate and develop comprehensive regulations for future data centers, addressing concerns like noise, water usage, and electrical infrastructure. This follows similar actions by other South Carolina counties.
The Laurens County Council in South Carolina has taken a significant step towards regulating data center development, unanimously passing the first reading of an ordinance to impose a 12-month moratorium on new data centers. This decision aligns Laurens County with neighboring counties such as Spartanburg, Greenwood, Chesterfield, and Newberry, which have also implemented or are in the process of enacting similar temporary bans due to growing concerns over the environmental and infrastructural impact of these facilities.
Matthew Brownlee, Vice Chair of the County Council, introduced the ordinance, stating its purpose is to grant the county sufficient time to develop robust regulations. These future guidelines will address critical issues including setback and buffering standards, noise pollution, water and wastewater requirements, and the strain on electrical infrastructure and emergency services. The move comes as the number of hyperscale data centers globally and within the U.S. continues to surge, prompting local municipalities to seek better control over their rapid expansion.
During the council meeting, members like Brown Patterson, Jr. emphasized the current lack of adequate electrical infrastructure in the county, suggesting that immediate data center development is not feasible. While supporting the moratorium, Patterson advocated for staff to expedite the development of new regulatory ordinances, proposing a three-month timeframe instead of the initially suggested six months. Discussions also included potential collaboration with the cities of Laurens and Clinton to establish consistent data center regulations and the possibility of extending the moratorium beyond the initial year if needed.
The unanimous 7-0 vote on the first reading reflects the council's collective commitment to a proactive approach, ensuring that Laurens County can establish comprehensive standards before further data center projects are permitted.