Emanuel County adopts 12‑month moratorium on data centers, cryptocurrency mines

The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 16 to impose a 12‑month moratorium on permitting, approval and development of "High‑Intensity Energy Demand Facilities," a category the adopted resolution explicitly lists to include data centers, cryptocurrency mining, artificial‑intelligence training facilities, high‑performance computing and similar uses.

The moratorium, recorded with the minutes, applies countywide in unincorporated Emanuel County and directs county staff, the county attorney and any consultants the board chooses to study the impacts of such facilities on electrical infrastructure, water resources, roads, noise and community character and to draft recommended siting, performance and permitting standards. The resolution defines a covered facility threshold as continuous or near‑continuous electrical demand of 250 kilowatts or greater and says aggregated facilities under common control on contiguous parcels will be treated as a single facility.

Commissioner John Moore moved to adopt the moratorium; Commissioner Ricky Thompson seconded. The minutes record the vote as five in favor, none opposed. The resolution text included with the minutes sets the moratorium period at 12 months and authorizes staff to present findings and ordinance recommendations to the board prior to the moratorium’s expiration.

County officials said the moratorium is intended to allow time to evaluate potential effects on the county’s utility capacity, road network, water supplies and land‑use compatibility before any new high‑demand facilities are approved. The board’s action follows public comments during the meeting in which multiple residents were recognized to speak about data centers and other agenda items.