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Edgefield County discusses draft data-center ordinance, aims to limit siting to industrial areas and require decommissioning bonds
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Summary
Council members and staff discussed a draft ordinance to regulate data centers and crypto-mining operations, focusing on industrial siting, noise and water use limits, power infrastructure impacts, and requiring decommissioning plans or bonds. Staff warned state legislation could pre-empt local rules.
Edgefield County Council on April 14, 2026, discussed a draft data-center ordinance that county staff and the planning commission prepared to guide the siting and operation of data centers and related high-energy activities such as cryptocurrency mining.
County Administrator David Caddell and planning staff told council the ordinance aims to require data centers be located in industrial zones, reduce noise and aesthetic impacts near housing, require recirculating (not pass-through) water systems with sign-off from the local water authority, and include decommissioning plans and bonds to prevent long-term site liabilities. "We need to make sure that these things are put in the right place," Caddell said, describing the planning commission's focus on protecting residents while treating the industry fairly.
A planning commission representative emphasized the county currently has no specific protections for data centers and noted that two state bills under consideration could either pre-empt or supersede local authority. "Currently, the county has no protections at all from data centers," the planning commission member said. Staff added the state bill under discussion is in some respects more restrictive for large (Class 3) centers, underscoring uncertainty about whether the county's ordinance will remain effective if the legislature acts.
Council members generally favored advancing a local ordinance for May consideration while continuing to monitor state action. Several members said an industrial-park location would reduce conflicts with residential neighborhoods, and the administrator described an example project under construction that uses far less water than some large facilities.
What comes next: staff will refine the ordinance language with planning commission input and present a draft ordinancether for council consideration in May, unless state legislation pre-empts local authority.
