HARDEEVILLE — Jasper County Council is trying to get ahead of the curve when it comes to data centers. To that end, the five-member council unanimously approved the second reading of a temporary moratorium on data centers, data processing facilities and other related operations.

The move came during the council’s Sept. 21 meeting. As proposed, the moratorium has a one-year term with a potential for council to extend it for six-month periods.

“Jasper County Council is concerned that the Jasper County Code of Ordinances does not provide an adequate mechanism to regulate and control the location, design, size density, land use and infrastructure needs for data centers, data processing facilities, and cryptocurrency mining operations,” reads the proposed ordinance, in part.

A third and final reading is expected during the next council meeting. Council Chair Joey Rowell noted that the approval of the first reading invoked the Pending Ordinance Doctrine, which allows governments to enforce the parameters of a new ordinance before it has passed all three required readings.

“It’s like the moratorium is in effect right now,” Rowell said.

He said the chances of obtaining final council approval were very high, noting that both readings to date passed unanimously.

The ordinance identified risks related to data centers, including the demand on the local electrical grid and water system, and the potential increase in air, noise and light pollution.

“Everybody get’s their water from the Savannah River. We want to make sure that we protect that,” Rowell said.

The Sept. 21 reading also included a public hearing. Grant McClure, South Coast Office director with the Coastal Conservation League, spoke in support of the moratorium. No one spoke in opposition.

“We want make sure that we get as much intel and information as we can to make sure that we’re making the right decision for the location with the right infrastructure and right utilities,” Rowell told The Post and Courier.