Staff presented a draft ordinance to confine data centers and crypto mining to industrial zones, require a 1,000‑foot buffer from residences, mandate closed‑loop cooling, a noise study at 500 feet, at least 10% on‑site renewables, generator limits, and an R2‑standard decommissioning plan; commissioners asked for utility feasibility studies before council review.

After reviewing draft corrections and state chapter language, the commission voted to recommend approval of local language addressing data centers and crypto‑mining but said it will monitor pending state bill S0867 and adjust local rules if necessary.

Multiple residents asked Edgefield County to adopt countywide ordinances for data centers and to place a six‑month moratorium on new data‑center applications while regulations are drafted; council members said staff and economic development are working on standards and capacity questions, and that tree‑preservation language will appear on the Feb. agenda.