The residents of York County, South Carolina, were taken by surprise when the county sold land to QTS Realty Trust back in November 2022 under the secretive title of 'Project COBRA.' The sale, completed without transparency, involved over 400 acres of land being cleared without the knowledge or consent of neighboring property owners and local residents. Since then, QTS has expanded their holdings significantly, raising alarms about potential negative impacts on our community’s well-being.

The lack of transparency in these dealings is troubling. Local government officials conducted this transaction under a veil of secrecy, preventing citizens from voicing concerns or objections beforehand. This covert manner of operation undermines the trust and accountability we expect from our elected representatives.

Furthermore, there are significant health and environmental concerns tied to the establishment of this data center in our area. There is little to no evidence or studies supporting the safety and benefits of such a large facility near residential neighborhoods. Instead, the primary beneficiary appears to be QTS/Blackstone, while the local community may suffer from increased pollution, noise, and potential health risks.

Data centers are notorious for their immense energy consumption and potential environmental damage. They require vast amounts of water for cooling systems, contributing to resource depletion, not to mention the emissions from backup generators during power outages. These factors contribute to severe environmental degradation that can adversely affect the health of the residents.

We, the residents of York County, deserve a voice in decisions that directly impact our environment, health, and property values. Our local government needs to halt this project until comprehensive studies are conducted and transparency is restored to this process. Every stakeholder, particularly York County residents, should have access to all the relevant information and be involved in any decisions related to the proposed data center.

We are calling for immediate action to reassess the zoning and approval of the QTS data center. It’s vital that we prioritize the health, safety, and interests of our community over corporate profits. Stand with us in demanding transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.

Please join us in signing this petition to stop the development of the QTS data center in York County until all environmental and health concerns have been adequately addressed and resolved. Let’s hold our local government accountable to their constituents, regaining the trust and transparency that seem to have been sidestepped in this significant decision.