The data center debate in the Upstate continues, as environmental lawyers are challenging the construction of the Valara Data Center in Spartanburg County. The Southern Environmental Law Center or SELC is asking the State Public Service Commission its decision to allow the data center to be built on South Pine Street.
The commission ruled that the development does not fall within its jurisdiction to enforce any legal statutes. That ruling came down earlier this month. The SELC argues that the data center will be allowed to generate massive amounts of power without oversight once its completed. Recently, it was also determined that the data center will use over a million gallons of water per day.
That's something that poses a concern to public works officials in Spartanburg County. That was more than twice the original estimated amount of water needed.
Earlier this week, the Spartanburg County Council passed a moratorium on new data center developments, but that did not include the Valara Data Center project.
