Chester County Council voted 7-0 in May 2026 to open the door to data center development in our county — without a community vote, without a binding public input process, and without the consent of the people who live here.

We are asking Chester County officials to enact a permanent ban on data center development, repeal the zoning amendments that enabled it, and require a community vote before this issue is ever revisited.

Why we oppose data centers in Chester County:

Chester County's own 2025 Comprehensive Plan admits that data center development is already "stretching energy generation thin" across South Carolina — and that landing a data center "can effectively block out other industries for an indefinite period of time." Duke Energy is near capacity limits and major upgrades aren't expected until 2030. That means data center power demands get passed directly to our electric bills.

Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. They create very few local jobs. They benefit out-of-state corporations — not Chester County families.

Neighboring York County listened to its residents and enacted a moratorium. Chester County should go further: we want a permanent ban.

Our land. Our power grid. Our decision.

Sign this petition to tell Chester County officials: not here.

TO:  Chester County Council • Chester County Planning Commission • Chester County Economic Development

WHEREAS:

Chester County's own 2025 Comprehensive Plan acknowledges that data center development in South Carolina is "stretching energy generation thin" and that recruiting a data center "can effectively block out other industries for an indefinite period of time";
Duke Energy and electric cooperatives serving Chester County are already near generation capacity limits, and major upgrades are not expected until at least 2030 — meaning data center power demands would directly impact residential and small business electric rates;
Data centers are among the most intensive users of electricity and water of any industrial category, placing a disproportionate burden on shared public infrastructure while employing very few local workers relative to their footprint;
Chester County Council voted 7-0 in May 2026 to add data centers as a conditional use in the General Industrial District without a binding community vote or broad public input process;
Neighboring York County responded to community concerns by enacting a 9-month moratorium on data center applications, reflecting a broader recognition that residents deserve a voice in this decision;
The land and infrastructure of Chester County belong to its residents, and the community has not been given a meaningful opportunity to consent to or reject this type of industrial development.

THEREFORE, WE THE UNDERSIGNED CALL ON CHESTER COUNTY OFFICIALS TO:

1.  Enact a permanent ordinance prohibiting data center development in Chester County, South Carolina.

2.  Repeal zoning text amendments CCTA26-06 and CCTA26-07, which added data centers as a conditional use in the General Industrial District.

3.  Hold a formal, publicly noticed community vote or binding referendum before any future consideration of data center development in the county.

4.  Protect Chester County's energy grid, water resources, rural character, and quality of life for current and future residents over the interests of outside corporate developers.

We, the residents signing here, stand united in the belief that Chester County's future must be shaped by the people who live here — not by outside industry. We urge our elected officials to listen to their constituents and act accordingly.