Updated June 26, 2026

Valara Holdings High Performance Compute Center (also referred to as "Valara" or by its parent company, "NorthMark Strategies") is a data center located in Spartanburg, S.C. The facility is required to receive certain environmental permits from the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) before it can begin operations, in addition to other local and state permits from other entities.  

This webpage has been developed by SCDES as a community resource and will be updated as new information is available. Please bring this webpage to the attention of others who may be interested.

What to Expect at the June 25 Availability Session

The availability session and the public hearing serve different purposes.

An availability session will take place from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. during which fact sheets and handouts will be provided that address frequent questions we have received. SCDES staff will be available to answer questions about the draft permit. Representatives from Spartanburg Water (which will provide water as well as collect and treat the facility’s wastewater) and Valara also plan to take part in the availability session.

Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. You do not need to attend the availability session in order to attend the public hearing. 

What to Expect at the June 25 Public Hearing

The availability session and the public hearing serve different purposes. The public hearing is an opportunity for residents to provide comments about the draft permit. With the significant community interest in this draft permit, SCDES has extended the public comment period to July 31, 2026.

A decision about the permit will not be made on June 25. The permit application remains under review and there is no time frame as to when a decision about the permit may be made. 

For those attending the public hearing, please note:  

• Attendees who did not pre-register will be asked to register in the lobby. By registering, community members can be kept informed of updates about this permit decision. 
• The venue does not allow signs, banners and other items that could potentially obstruct the view of others inside the auditorium.
• The venue requires all attendees to pass through metal detectors upon arrival.
• During the hearing, oral comments will be recorded by a court reporter to ensure they are captured accurately.
• In line with our standard public hearing procedures, SCDES staff will not answer questions during the public hearing; the hearing focuses on receiving formal oral comments from attendees.
• To maximize participation, comments during public hearings are limited to:
  • 3 minutes per speaker
  • 5 minutes for elected officials or individuals speaking on behalf of an organization
  • Written comments will also be accepted at the hearing

All of the comments SCDES receives during a public comment period are reviewed and considered by our permitting staff before a permit decision is made. A written response to the comments received will be provided along with the permit decision. 

Informational materials presented at the June 25 public hearing are available here:

• Submitting public comments handout
• Fact sheet
• Facility map 1
• Facility map 2
• Air modeling information
• Air modeling analysis

Current Draft Air Permit 

On March 4, 2026, Valara submitted an application to SCDES for a second Synthetic Minor Air Construction Permit. The facility is requesting to generate additional onsite electricity using 11 natural gas-fired turbines, and to operate in compliance with new emission limits. 

After receiving and reviewing the permit application and supplemental data and reports, SCDES permitting staff wrote a draft permit and draft statement of basis that are currently available for public review and comment. 

The public comment period for this Synthetic Minor Air Construction Permit began May 26, 2026, and has been extended to July 31, 2026.

The public can submit comments multiple ways:

• Oral or written comments provided at the June 25 public hearing
• Submit a comment online
• Send a comment by postal mail to SCDES Bureau of Air Quality, Air Permitting Division Director, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia SC 29201
• Email a comment to AirPNComments@des.sc.gov 

Those wishing to be notified directly by SCDES when a permit decision is made can sign up by emailing SCDES at AirPNComments@des.sc.gov or ask to be notified via ePermitting.

If issued, this permit would require the facility to construct and operate in compliance with state and federal air quality regulations, just as the first permit also requires.  

First Air Permit (2025)

SCDES issued Valara a Synthetic Minor Air Construction Permit (CP-50000316) on Sept. 17, 2025. This permit was for the installation and operation for onsite electricity generated by 24 permanent natural gas─fired 2103 kW generators with selective catalytic reduction and oxidation catalyst air pollution control devices. This air permit also established federally enforceable limits on NOx, CO, VOC, Single HAP and Total Combined HAP. 

The public comment period for that draft permit was July 18 to Aug. 16, 2025. After a full permit application review and consideration of public comments received, SCDES issued the Synthetic Minor Air Construction Permit (CP-50000316) on Sept. 17, 2025.

On April 21, 2026, this permit (CP-50000316) was amended to include 21 temporary natural gas─fired 1500 kW generators. These generators are not allowed to operate when the permanent generators are in operation and cannot remain on site longer than six months.  

We will continue to provide updates and information to this webpage (des.sc.gov/valara).