Data Centers will receive a study from County Staff during the upcoming year, if an ordinance up for 1st reading TONIGHT becomes effective.
The Laurens County Council will place this matter under consideration at its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse, 200 W. Public Square, Laurens. The meeting is open to the public and is viewable on the County Website. In addition to the Data Centers-study ordinance, Council will have a public hearing, and possible final reading, of an ordinance regarding the storage of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in Laurens County, the second of three readings of an ordinance related to responsible pet ownership in the county, updating of SCORF Funding for FY 26-27, the 2026 LEMPG Annual Grant, and an Airport Commission recommendation to use Ardurra as its consulting firm.
The Council also will receive its Annual Audit from Love Bailey, of Laurens.
June 26 of each year will be considered for the designation of "Timberwolves Gold Medal Day" in Laurens County.
Public Comments on Agenda Items are allowed under Section 7 of the Council's agenda.
This is the Data Centers ordinance that will be under consideration:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF LAURENS
ORDINANCE #1012
AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE
ACCEPTANCE, REVIEW, APPROVAL, AND ISSUANCE OF
DEVELOPMENT PERMITS FOR DATA CENTERS WITHIN LAURENS
COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED
THERETO.
WHEREAS, Laurens County Council is empowered pursuant to Title 4, Chapter 9, Section 4-9-25 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended, to adopt regulations, resolutions, and ordinances not inconsistent with the Constitution and general law of the State of South Carolina (the “State”), including the exercise of these powers in relation to health and order in the County or respecting any subject as appears to the Council necessary and proper for the security, general welfare, and convenience of the County or for preserving health, peace, order, and good government therein, to include providing for land use regulations pursuant to Section 4-9-30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the South Carolina Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994, Section 6-29-310 et seq., of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended, authorizes the County to enact or amend its land development regulations to guide development in accordance with existing and future needs and to protect, promote and improve public health, safety, and general welfare; and
WHEREAS, recent market conditions have resulted in substantial interest in the development of large-scale data centers and associated infrastructure within the County; and
WHEREAS, data centers may create unique impacts on electric utility systems, water resources, wastewater systems, transportation infrastructure, emergency services, land use compatibility, noise levels, and environmental resources; and
WHEREAS, the County’s current zoning, land development, and permitting regulations do not specifically address data center development standards; and
WHEREAS, the County requires a reasonable period of time to evaluate the potential impacts of data center development and to consider appropriate regulations governing site design, buffering, setbacks, utility infrastructure, emergency response planning, noise mitigation, water use, and related matters; and
WHEREAS, the approval of data center developments before completion of this study could result in development patterns inconsistent with the public health, safety, and welfare and could frustrate the County’s ability to implement comprehensive regulations; and Ordinance #1012 – Moratorium on Data Centers
WHEREAS, a temporary moratorium is necessary to preserve the status quo while the County conducts its review.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE LAURENS COUNTY COUNCIL, duly assembled, pursuant to the authority granted by the laws of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide the County with adequate time to evaluate and adopt regulations governing data center development and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare during that review period.
SECTION 2. MORATORIUM.
For a period of twelve (12) months from the effective date of this Ordinance, the County shall not accept, process, review, approve, or issue: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Rezoning applications principally intended to facilitate a data center;
Conditional use, special exception, or special use applications for a data center;
Land development permits for a data center;
Building permits for a new data center facility;
Site plan approvals for a data center;
Any other discretionary development approval required for a data center.
SECTION 3. DEFINITION.
For purposes of this Ordinance, “Data Center” means a facility or group of facilities primarily used for the storage, management, processing, transmission, or hosting of digital data, including associated server infrastructure, cooling equipment, substations, backup power systems, and supporting facilities.
SECTION 4. EXEMPTIONS.
This Ordinance shall not apply to:
A. Routine maintenance, repair, replacement, or upgrade of existing facilities lawfully
operating on the effective date of this Ordinance;
B. Facilities owned and operated by a governmental entity for governmental purposes.
SECTION 5. STUDY PERIOD.
During the moratorium period, County staff, the Planning Commission, and County Council shall evaluate and develop recommendations concerning:
1. Appropriate zoning districts;
2. Setback requirements;
3. Buffering and landscaping standards;
4. Noise standards;
3Ordinance #1012 – Moratorium on Data Centers
5. Water and wastewater requirements;
6. Electrical infrastructure requirements;
7. Emergency services coordination;
8. Environmental impacts;
9. Traffic impacts; and
10. Decommissioning requirements.
SECTION 6. REVIEW OF MORATORIUM.
County Council shall review the status of the study not later than six (6) months after adoption of this Ordinance.
SECTION 7. EXPIRATION.
This Ordinance shall automatically expire twelve (12) months after its effective date unless repealed earlier by County Council.
SECTION 8. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Ordinance is determined invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 9. PENDING ORDINANCE DOCTRINE.
This Ordinance is subject to the Pending Ordinance Doctrine. Upon first reading of this
Ordinance, County staff, the Planning Commission, County Administrator, and all departments involved in development review are directed to hold in abeyance any application received after first reading involving a proposed Data Center pending final action on this Ordinance, consistent with the Pending Ordinance Doctrine
SECTION 10. REPEALER
All ordinances, resolutions or parts of any ordinances or resolutions inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict or inconsistency. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding impending in any court, or any rights acquired or liability incurred, or any cause of action acquired or existing, under any act or ordinance hereby repealed; nor shall any just or legal right or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this Ordinance, except as expressly set forth herein and as may be permitted under State law.
SECTION 11. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING DATA CENTER REGULATIONS.
During the pendency of the Moratorium, County staff and the Planning Commission are hereby directed to study the areas of the County where Data Centers may be an appropriate land use and the conditions under which Data Centers may appropriately be developed within such areas. The Planning Commission and County staff are further directed to prepare and recommend appropriate amendments to the PZO to apply County-wide to development of Data Centers.
SECTION 12. MORTARIUM EXTENSION.
The Council hereby finds and determines that the Moratorium imposed hereby may be extended by resolution of the Council.
SECTION 13. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon third reading and execution as required by law.
RELATED:
$130 Billion in U.S. AI Data Center Projects Blocked or Delayed as Communities Push Back
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is facing growing resistance across the United States, with more than $130 billion in proposed AI data center projects blocked or delayed during the first three months of 2026.
According to industry reports, local communities and officials are increasingly opposing large-scale data center developments over concerns about their impact on electricity demand, water consumption, and utility costs.
AI data centers require enormous amounts of power to run advanced computing systems, millions of gallons of water for cooling, and major upgrades to local power grids. Residents in several areas fear these costs could lead to higher electricity bills and increased pressure on local resources.
In Tucson, Arizona, local officials opposed a proposed $3.6 billion Amazon data center campus after raising concerns about water use and energy demands. Near Indianapolis, Indiana, Google withdrew a planned $1 billion data center project ahead of a local vote that was expected to reject the proposal.
Similar disputes have emerged in Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, and other states. In response, lawmakers introduced more than 300 data center-related bills during the first six weeks of 2026, with at least 14 states considering temporary bans or restrictions on new data center construction.
The growing opposition highlights a new challenge for AI companies. Beyond securing advanced computer chips, developers must now find sufficient electricity, water, land, grid capacity, and local support to build the infrastructure needed for the AI industry.
As a result, some companies are increasingly looking to countries such as Norway and Finland, where renewable energy is more abundant, grid connections are more readily available, and communities may be more receptive to large data center projects.
Source: PR Newswire – ”$130 Billion in AI Data Centers Have Been Blocked or Delayed in 2026.”
The $130 Billion Roadblock: Why Communities Are Saying "No" to AI
The artificial intelligence boom is facing its biggest bottleneck yet, and it is not a shortage of advanced microchips. It is the pushback from ordinary Americans.
In the first three months of 2026 alone, massive community opposition has blocked or delayed over $130 billion in proposed data center projects across the United States.
Why the sudden backlash?
AI data centers aren't just quiet warehouses; they are resource-hungry giants. Local residents and officials are pushing back due to several critical concerns:
Massive Energy Consumption: Facilities operate 24/7, demanding enormous electricity and requiring major grid upgrades.
Water Scarcity: These centers consume millions of gallons of water strictly for cooling systems.
Rising Costs: Communities fear the heavy costs of infrastructure upgrades will be passed down to residents through higher utility bills.
Big Tech is feeling the heat:
In Tucson, AZ, local officials opposed a proposed $3.6 billion Amazon campus over water and energy costs.
Near Indianapolis, IN, Google completely abandoned a $1 billion project shortly before a local vote was expected to reject it.
With over 300 data center-related bills introduced in just six weeks and 14 states considering construction bans, the tech landscape is rapidly shifting. To find reliable electricity, water, and welcoming communities, developers are now looking overseas to places like Norway and Finland, where renewable energy is cheaper and grid connections are already secured.
The future of AI depends on massive infrastructure, but at what cost to local neighborhoods?
Watch the full story in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3ZYp4OT_mk&t=1s
2-minute video here.
