Dorchester County Council asks staff to study data centers amid calls for moratorium

Dorchester County's council asked staff to research the county's ability to handle proposals for data centers after members and residents raised concerns about electricity demand, water use and local infrastructure.

Councilmember S4, who led the discussion, said the county needs a framework to review proposals rather than simply deny them outright. "I just don't think it's prudent for us to just outright deny," S4 said, adding that some projects would be "total nonstarters" but others could be smaller and manageable.

Staff and other council members agreed to return recommendations. Chair S1 asked staff to coordinate with Miss Webb and zoning and economic development staff to assess transmission and water availability and report back, with an expectation of a preliminary recommendation in the near term.

Public comment included calls for immediate action. Resident David Beverly (S5) urged a 12-month moratorium on data centers while the county watches other jurisdictions and studies impacts, citing recent moratoria elsewhere and potential increases to utility costs. "I think the council would be very well served, especially for the residents of this county, to implement a 1 year moratorium while we watch everybody else be the guinea pigs," S5 said.

Councilmembers noted specific concerns raised in the discussion: the need for major transmission lines and large water supplies to serve big facilities; potential impacts to local aquifers; and whether a moratorium, work group or ordinance is the appropriate first step. S3 said staff will compile information on what other counties have done and report back to the council.

Next steps: staff will review regional examples, technical requirements for data centers and possible administrative tools (moratorium, task force, zoning amendments) and will present a recommendation at a future meeting.