Thomas & Hutton (Savannah, GA-based engineering firm) and Eagle Rock Partners (Charlotte, NC-based development company) are seeking a “special exception” from the Colleton County Board of Zoning Appeals (ZBA). This would permit a data center on 850 acres of rural timberland owned by Weyerhaeuser, located on Cooks Hill Road south of Walterboro in the ACE Basin watershed.
The site plan outlines nine large industrial buildings amid over 200 acres of onsite wetlands, with an initial fill of 1.5 acres required. The property forms part of a larger 2,600-acre Weyerhaeuser tract, leaving room for potential expansion. It’s near conserved lands like Bonnie Doone, Ravenwood Plantation, Remley Point, Prospect Hill Farm, and Horseshoe Tract.
Key Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns
Data centers demand enormous resources, straining the rural Lowcountry’s ecosystems and infrastructure. Here’s a breakdown based on SELC insights and cited reports:
- Energy Use: A single large facility could consume 100 MW—equivalent to power for ~80,000 homes (New England States Committee on Electricity).
- Water Consumption: Cooling via evaporation might require 530+ million gallons annually for a 50 MW center, rivaling Walterboro’s full water system (657 million gallons/year for 11,000 residents; Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 2024 report).
- Wastewater and Pollution: Cooling generates wastewater that burdens local systems and pollutes downstream; backup diesel/gas generators emit pollutants, especially during outages.
- Onsite Power Option: Colleton County’s ordinance allows off-grid gas generation, adding local noise and emissions.
- Land and Water Impacts: Vast buildings and pavement increase stormwater runoff, altering hydrology, degrading water quality, and affecting the ACE Basin’s 1.6-million-acre wetlands.
- Community Disruption: Noise from cooling fans, industrialization of rural viewsheds, and proximity to homes/wildlife threaten the area’s conservation legacy.
These projects—paired with a nearby power plant and gas pipeline—could industrialize the pristine Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers area, per Coastal Conservation League’s Taylor Allred.
For the latest on the ZBA decision or public input, check Colleton County’s planning portal or SELC updates. What’s your take on balancing economic growth with ACE Basin protection?
