EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) — Leaders in Edgefield County are considering new rules that could open the door for large-scale data centers and crypto mining operations.
“The fact that they had their first vote and they moved it forward was a bit concerning because we knew they were waiting to find out what the state was gonna do at both the House and the Senate,” Randy Dedrickson of Horse Creek Nature Preserve said.
Edgefield County leaders are considering an ordinance for data centers and crypto mining in industrial-zoned areas. Dedrickson says crypto mining operations and traditional data centers may require different regulations because of their environmental impacts and infrastructure demands.
“Your deer, your birds, all the animal life is gonna be gone. They’re not gonna be hanging around any place where they’re hearing this. The nature environment is gonna be heavily impacted.”
The proposal would also address impacts on nearby neighborhoods. Developers would have to keep facilities at least 1,000 feet from homes.
Opponents worry future rezonings could expand where data centers are allowed beyond existing industrial areas.
“If they put one there, this is going to put Green Oak, Windy Ridge, Stable Lane, Whitlock — we’re gonna be sandwiched in between two data centers on each side of our neighborhoods. So, we’re gonna be heavily impacted.”
Horse Creek Nature Preserve argues leaders don’t fully understand the environmental and social impacts tied to large-scale data center development. Dedrickson also said there have been no public community meetings specifically on the ordinance, limiting opportunities for residents to weigh in. He also noted that while data centers bring large numbers of construction jobs during buildout, they typically leave behind far fewer permanent positions once operational.
“Extended RV parks that trans construction workers for the data centers are using. So the standard RV park doesn’t have the specification properly to be able to handle the capacity and the density of sewage, and it’s gonna overwhelm the RV park infrastructure.”
The group says the ordinance lacks what it calls “scientific-based land development” standards, pointing to erosion, runoff, groundwater, and underground stream concerns in areas they’ve been studying. Dedrickson also questioned whether the ordinance clearly requires closed-loop cooling systems instead of drawing from local water tables.
“Because if they draw from the water table, these data centers are documented all over the United States. They’re consuming millions and millions of gallons of water to cool the systems.”
They’re not opposed to data centers, but believe county leaders should slow the process down, hold more public discussions, and do more research before moving forward.
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