As data center opposition surges, QTS meets with York County residents about $8 billion plant plans

QTS, a global data center company, is hosting a public question-and-answer session on May 12 at Oakridge Middle School in Clover, South Carolina, to address community concerns regarding its $8 billion data center project in York County. The session, featuring a panel, requires residents to submit questions online beforehand. Local residents, including Steve Penland, a Christmas tree farm owner near the QTS property, have voiced strong opposition to the project. They have repeatedly appeared before the York County Council with "No Data Center" signs, expressing worries about noise from ongoing construction and the potential adverse impacts on local utilities, particularly electricity and water. The project, initially announced in September 2023, involves nine planned buildings on a nearly 400-acre site, with four buildings currently under construction in the first phase. The first building is expected to be operational by 2028. QTS expanded its footprint in December 2025 by purchasing an additional 400 acres for $26 million. While residents are concerned about utility usage, QTS officials highlighted their "low-pressure pumped refrigerant system," which they claim significantly minimizes water consumption compared to traditional data centers, using about 18,000 gallons per day after an initial fill. York Electric Cooperative CEO Craig Spencer stated that the data center's large, consistent energy demand could actually help stabilize demand and allow the cooperative to purchase wholesale power more efficiently, potentially keeping rates lower for existing members.