Polling shows most South Carolinians oppose data centers without guardrails for development
Polling finds that only 19% of South Carolina voters support building data centers in their communities without safeguards, but support rises substantially when regulations governing power, water and environmental impacts are included. Industry groups hope the results will encourage statewide lawmakers to adopt uniform data center regulations, while opponents continue to push for stronger local protections and moratoriums.
A poll of 800 South Carolina voters found that just 19% support building data centers in their communities under current conditions. Support rises to 62% when proposals include safeguards such as requiring facilities to pay their full power costs and publicly report electricity and water usage.
The polling was conducted by strategist Rick Quinn Jr. for the South Carolina chapter of the American Infrastructure Alliance, which argues that clear statewide rules could make data center development more acceptable and support substantial tax revenue. Environmental advocates, including the Southern Environmental Law Center, continue to warn about noise, air pollution, water consumption, land conversion and energy costs.
South Carolina lawmakers considered data center regulations and moratoriums but failed to advance major statewide measures during the 2026 legislative session, although a one-year budget proviso requires facilities to report water use. Local governments from the Upstate to the coast have adopted or considered moratoriums and other rules as opposition grows in areas including Spartanburg, York County and the Lowcountry.