Fact check: Where SC governor candidates stand on new data center construction
South Carolina's leading gubernatorial candidates, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson and Attorney General Alan Wilson, have shared their positions on new data center construction amidst community backlash over water and energy use. Johnson previously introduced a resolution for a moratorium on data center construction until legislative oversight is established, but it failed to advance. Wilson advocates for local control and incentives for environmentally responsible data center operations.
South Carolina gubernatorial candidates, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D-Richland) and Attorney General Alan Wilson (R-Lexington County), have voiced differing opinions on the ongoing debate surrounding data center construction in the state.
Rep. Johnson had earlier introduced a resolution in the General Assembly proposing a moratorium on new data center construction. His resolution called for a halt until the Legislature could establish an adequate oversight and approval process for these facilities. Johnson, emphasizing the need for data centers to 'bring your own energy,' stated during an SC ETV debate that they should not exhaust the state's resources or drive up energy costs. The resolution, however, did not progress in the General Assembly.
Conversely, Attorney General Wilson stated in an April debate that local communities should have the autonomy to decide on data center presence in their areas. He also advocated for incentivizing data center operators to reduce their environmental impact and contribute unused electricity back to the grid to help lower utility rates. Wilson, aligning with former President Trump's view, considers data centers as crucial national security infrastructure for future technologies. Communities across South Carolina have expressed concerns about the substantial water and electricity consumption of large data centers, fearing potential increases in energy bills.