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SPARTANBURG, S.C. —

A large data center project is moving forward in Spartanburg County. The project, titled "Project Sperro," would create a data center facility proposing over $3 billion of investment and 50 new jobs.

Monday's meeting saw a line nearly out of the front doors at the Spartanburg County office building, and people piled into the hallway that couldn’t get into the county chambers. The meeting was frequently interrupted with shouting and boos from the audience.

A crowd poured into the hallway since the chambers reached capacity. A loud portion of the crowd voiced concern over the development.

"We're going to be the ones paying for it. How can you look at us after we've put you in office and be like 'screw y'all because we don't care.' We're the ones that pay the bills. All of these people in here, and no one cares? What is that?" said Spartanburg Resident Allison Herb during public comment.

Other public speakers voiced support for the development.

"It's a low-demand system. It's state-of-the-art. When people are asleep. When people are asleep. It uses power. It uses power. It doesn't use power when you need to cook, wash, and clean. And then that loads the power companies' pocket up with more money so they can lower your power bill. So you don't have to pay another $50," said another resident, Greg Hill.

The council voted 5 to 2 to move the proposal into third reading.

"I think that this is a bad business deal. I think we can get more than 4% if council chooses to pass it. This is an industry that makes millions and, for people making money, but we give a tax rate to residential. I just don't think that's the best business deal we can make," said Councilman Paul Abott.

"Information that I've received that these systems are like the radiator in your car; one - they're very efficient, they use a total amount less than a lowes or a Home Depot, and that ones the system fills up, like a radiator that works properly, you don't fill them up again," said Councilman Mo Abusaft.

Right now, South Carolina lawmakers are debating a proposed bill, S.867, that would change how the state regulates data center development.

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SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Spartanburg County Council approved the second reading of Project Spero in a 5-2 vote Tuesday night, advancing the proposed $3 billion artificial intelligence data center despite outpouring of public opposition.

The council meeting lasted nearly four hours as hundreds of residents packed council chambers to voice concerns about the high-performance AI data center planned for Tyger River Industrial Park along Highway 290.

Council members Grant DeShields of District 4 and Paul Abbott of District 3 voted against the project.

Energy concerns dominate hearing

The top concerns raised by residents included energy costs, health issues and environmental impacts from the proposed facility.

Council chambers can hold about 160 people, but the crowd was so large deputies asked some attendees to listen from the lobby. The line wrapped around to the front entrance.

Most residents who spoke opposed the project, particularly citing concerns about electricity costs and grid strain.

“They are raising rates now, so what happens when a huge data center comes in and they suck the power?” one resident said.

Another resident addressed council members directly.

“That’s going to be a strain on our water supply, our electricity, on our gas bill. And you’re going to pass that to us,” the resident said during the public hearing. “How can you look at us when we put you in office?”

Federal power request denied

Many residents in the surrounding area receive power from Lockhart Power and Duke Energy.

Data centers typically require large amounts of electricity. Lockhart Power, which receives some of its electricity from Duke Energy, asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for access to an additional 200 megawatts of power—enough to supply about 160,000 homes. The additional power would require about $40 million in system upgrades.

Federal regulators denied that request in December, saying the costs could end up being passed on to customers in the long run.

Support for Spero

A small group of residents spoke in support of the project, saying it could bring millions of dollars in investment to the county.

“It represents a massive private investment in our county and will generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue every year,” one supporter said. “That revenue can help support public safety [and other services].”

Split vote

Before council members voted, Councilman Mo Abusaft, who supported the project, addressed the audience.

“I know there are people on this council who have opposite positions. [But] they don’t talk about Project Spero the way you talked about it today,” Abusaft said. “I don’t know if you’re aiding your cause based on the way you’re engaging with people.”

Abbott, who voted against the project, spoke about potential energy price hikes.

“I’m not an electrician, and I don’t understand the grid,” Abbott said. “But I do understand when the power goes off. Based on the notice that was sent out, our grid may not be as strong as I thought it was.”

He was referring to a Duke Energy notice urging customers to reduce heat usage during the recent ice storm to avoid adding strain to the grid.

Other council members said they met with Duke Energy representatives, who told them costs would not be passed on to residents. Project officials say the facility would self-generate part of its energy needs.

Project Spero now heads to County Council for a third and final vote at a later date.

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State health officials are reporting 44 new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 920.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) said there are currently 277 people in quarantine and eight in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is March 2.

As of Feb. 6, 840 of those infected are unvaccinated; 20 are partially vaccinated; 24 are fully vaccinated and the vaccination status of 36 is unknown.

Spartanburg County has the highest number of cases, which is currently at 879.

DPH has identified numerous locations where exposures to infectious measles may have occurred. DPH has defined the times of potential exposure at the following locations:

The risk of exposure in the locations is limited to the specific dates and times announced. Once that time frame has passed, the location is not an ongoing risk for measles exposure. Exposures occurred only when an infectious person was present during the defined time. These locations are not a source of ongoing exposure, and businesses and locations identified are not responsible for a person with measles having been present.

People who were exposed at Rick Erwin’s Level 10 Restaurant, Boost Mobile and the Social Security Administration, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 19. Those exposed at Target should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 20.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak. Vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.

In January 2026, there was a strong increase in measles vaccinations across the state and in Spartanburg, where the outbreak is centered. Over 16,800 doses of measles vaccine were administered statewide, an increase of more than 7,000 doses compared to January 2025, a 72% increase. In Spartanburg County, there was a 162% increase in doses administered in January 2026 as compared to January 2025. Almost 1,200 doses of MMR were administered statewide to infants aged 6-11 months in January. These doses given earlier than the routine schedule that begins at 12 months are recommended for infants in an outbreak setting and are essential to protecting the most vulnerable children.

“January was the best month for measles vaccination we’ve experienced during this outbreak,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist and DPH’s Health Programs Branch director and incident commander for the measles outbreak.

In response to the ongoing measles outbreak in the Upstate, DPH will activate its Mobile Health Unit to offer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination to the public at no cost on:

Cleanup operations are underway after Kinder Morgan reported a fuel spill at its facility in Spartanburg.

Around 10 p.m. Sunday, ​diesel began to release from one of the tanks at Products (SE) Pipe Line Corporation's Spartanburg Station facility. After the release was discovered, the company shut down the tank and the release was stopped.

Officials said the diesel fuel leaked into a catch basin designed to contain potential releases. However, some of the discharge flowed out of the catch basin and into nearby Four Mile Branch Creek and Four Mile Branch Creek Road before the outfall of the catch basin was closed.

The total amount of diesel fuel released is being assessed by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. No injuries or fires have been reported as a result of the incident.

Cleanup operations are currently underway and the facility is investigating the cause of the equipment failure that led to the diesel release.

SCDES is continuing to coordinate with Products (SE) Pipe Line and EPA Region 4 as remediation efforts continue.

Products (SE) Pipe Line Corporation is a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan.

Kinder Morgan said, "We will work with our customers on any potential impacts."

Remediation of the Site

After the spill was discovered, absorbent booms were quickly set up in multiple locations along Four Mile Branch Creek to contain the diesel.

The facility also contacted multiple environmental cleanup contractors that responded and used vacuum trucks to remove the diesel from the site of the release, then moved on to other areas where diesel was found.

Air monitoring is being conducted for worker and public safety as the clean-up continues.

Once the visible diesel is removed, soil removal and excavation will begin in areas impacted by the release. The extent of the soil removal will be determined by removing visually stained soils. Once the removal is complete, the facility will collect soil samples that will be sent for laboratory analysis to confirm that impacted areas have been properly remediated. If the laboratory data indicate the presence of diesel fuel, then remediation activities may continue.

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Kinder Morgan reported a fuel spill at its Spartanburg facility on Sunday.

Officials reported that at 10 p.m., the Products (SE) Pipe Line Corporation’s Spartanburg Station facility experienced a diesel release from one of its tanks. Upon discovery, the company shut down the tank, and the release was stopped.

According to Kinder Morgan, the company has activated its emergency response plans and mobilized its spill response contractors to assist with cleanup, and all regulatory and emergency response authorities have been notified.

Some product reportedly migrated into Fourmile Branch Creek up to Fourmile Branch Road, and officials said that cleanup is underway. Air monitoring is being conducted to ensure the safety of personnel and the public.

Officials said that no injuries or fire have been reported as a result of the incident.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) reported that the diesel fuel leaked from a sump pump into catch basins designed to contain potential releases, but the diesel eventually escaped the catch basins and impacted nearby Four Mile Branch Creek. The facility’s current estimate is that 2,000 gallons of diesel may have left the property.

DES said the spill sight is just over a mile long, along the creek. Crews are working around the clock to clean up the mess.

“This has been running 24/7 so, they’ll be here until we don’t see anymore sheen,” said Chuck Owens, regional program manager and environmental response coordinator with SC DES.

Crews are using booms, long absorbent strips, to skim diesel off the water. They’re also using filters and other equipment to contain and remove the fuel.

While spills like this are rare, DES says they drill for them regularly.

“We don’t see incidents that often but when we do we’re prepared and communicate and collaborate to get the job done,” Owens said.

While crews are making progress, the work isn’t done.

“There will be water quality to make sure the creek rebounds, so this is an ongoing effort,” Owens said.

DES shared that while no human contact is expected to occur with this diesel spill, signs will be placed at impacted areas to notify the public. Products (SE) Pipe Line had quickly set up absorbent booms in multiple locations along Four Mile Branch Creek to contain the diesel.

Kinder Morgan gave the following statement:

At this time, the cause of the release is under investigation.

Stay with FOX Carolina as we work to learn more.

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