York, Chester review policies as public scrutiny heats up amid data center fervor
York and Chester counties in South Carolina are reviewing policies for data center development amid growing opposition. York County Council gave first approval for a 9-month moratorium on data center applications to study impacts, while Chester County passed new building and zoning standards. Utility companies are also adjusting rates to ensure large power users, like data centers, cover their energy costs.
York and Chester counties in South Carolina are actively reviewing and implementing policies to manage the rapid growth of the data center industry amid increasing public scrutiny. The Post and Courier reports that these governmental bodies, alongside utility companies, are addressing concerns related to data center development.
In York County, the County Council granted initial approval on June 15 for a nine-month moratorium, temporarily halting the acceptance of new data center applications. This pause is intended to allow county staff to develop comprehensive policies addressing issues such as heat emissions, noise, and utility rates. Separately, QTS Data Centers is currently constructing a facility in the Clover area of York County, though no other data center companies have expressed interest in the county yet.
Meanwhile, Chester County Council has proactively passed new building and zoning standards for potential data center projects, despite no companies currently seeking land in the county. Statewide, the South Carolina General Assembly is also considering new regulations for large data centers, indicating a broader governmental response to the industry's expansion.
Electricity consumption remains a significant concern, with residents and utility providers focusing on ensuring data centers bear their own energy costs. The Central Electric Power Cooperative, whose board is chaired by Berl Davis, CEO of Palmetto Electric Cooperative, approved a new rate schedule for large power users to prevent subsidization by families and other businesses. QTS's project is one of three data centers in South Carolina expected to draw energy from electric cooperatives.