H2 - Spartanburg tackles data center noise/air concerns, Darline Graham's record is examined, and Rep. Timmons talks DC.

What this episode covers

Transcript [00:00 - Intro / Pledge of Allegiance & Patriotic Music] (Pledge of Allegiance, "America the Beautiful" excerpt, and audio drop of Donald Trump saying "America is back") Charlie James: "America is back!" One step at a time, sir, one step at a time. Well, last night, Spartanburg County Council had a meeting regarding—well, it was a regularly scheduled meeting, but they were taking up the issue of data centers. And here's what gets me. You know, when we find—when you find out exactly how your elected representatives, how they feel about you, it—I mean, you know, it makes me mad. Listen to this. Well, where'd it go, where'd it go, where'd it go? Hold on, I got to do this. All right, here we go. I want you to listen to this, here we go. Audio Clip (Spartanburg County Council Meeting): "...remove them on your own as they speak, because we have to gather information and we can't do it when the mob is talking..." Charlie James: "The mob!" The mob is talking! Well, somebody that was in that mob last night is Eric Allison, and he is with No Data Centers in Spartanburg over on Facebook. Eric, welcome to the program. Hope you're doing well. Eric Allison: Thank you so much, Charlie. Doing great, hope you are. Appreciate you having me, appreciate you having me. Charlie James: Yes sir! So, how—how did that meeting go last night? I see it—it was packed! Eric Allison: It—it was standing room only. There were people that had to stand outside the chambers. Um, you know, this is a hot topic. Um, residents are concerned. So that meeting, um, for people who were there and—and viewed it, um, it's very contentious between our representatives and the residents who come there. So this—the meeting was, um... yeah, it was—it was heated at times, um, but, um, it's—it's important. And—and we're proud to see that, um, residents of Spartanburg County showing up for their county council meeting, as they have every right to do. Charlie James: So what was—was decided? I know where—they were talking about—they had already passed a first reading of a moratorium on data centers. Would that include the one they're—they're looking at now? Eric Allison: Um, so this, uh, one that's being built right now, I think on South Pine Street? Charlie James: Yeah, yeah. Eric Allison: Um, they indicate that, um, that one is exempt. Um, however, residents, uh, spoke out last night wanting them to include that in the aspect of any further permitting if this thing wants to expand. And they're—they actually have a pending minor land development permit, uh, on the desk of county right now. And so residents are saying, "You have the opportunity to include this in the moratorium that you're putting forward. We're not asking you to retroactively go back and deny any permits that's already been granted, whatever they have been approved, that's what they have. But if there's anything coming forward or something that's pending right now you haven't voted on, we request you put that in the moratorium for 12 months." Charlie James: Yeah. Now this is—this is a pretty big project, isn't it? Eric Allison: It's a massive, major project. Um, this—this site, they're going to produce their own energy: 450 megawatts of power. That is a major, utility-size power plant. 450 megawatts can power up to like 400—almost half a million individual homes. And it's going to be all powered by natural gas, um, turbines and generators. Um, they're in Phase 1 right now. This, uh, next permit that they have applied for will allow them to build, um, four additional buildings, um, which total almost another 500,000 square feet. Um, it's—it's a major project, I mean, a massive project. Charlie James: It is a major project. And—and you—you got to wonder how much natural gas that—how many cubic, uh, feet of natural gas are they going to be using a day? Eric Allison: Yeah, it's—it's—I—I can't even imagine. But it—it is massive. Um, it will operate 24/7 around the clock every day of the week ...

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