Courtney McClain, William Timmons spar over healthcare, data centers
South Carolina 4th District candidates William Timmons and Courtney McClain debated the Valara data center project in Spartanburg. McClain said she has opposed its expansion and would support a federal moratorium on new AI data centers, while Timmons emphasized local decision-making and protecting residents from higher energy costs.
During a campaign debate hosted by FOX Carolina, U.S. Rep. William Timmons and Democratic challenger Courtney McClain discussed concerns surrounding the Valara data center project in Spartanburg. Timmons said data centers must not strain local water and energy supplies and cited the Ratepayer Protection Act as a way to prevent higher electricity costs for nearby residents. He argued that decisions should primarily be made by local governments.
McClain said she lives about a mile from the project and has participated in opposition efforts, including county meetings, town halls, protests and hearings. She cited estimates that the facility could create 27 jobs while using as much as 1.6 million gallons of water daily, and said she would support the National AI Data Center Moratorium Act. The project was previously challenged in a lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, but that case was dismissed.