Senator Darline Graham outlines data center importance, advocates for local restrictions
Senator Darline Graham emphasizes the importance of data centers for the economy and national security, especially in competing with China. She advocates for local involvement in siting decisions and implementing restrictions to prevent increased utility bills for residents.
Senator Darline Graham, who is currently filling her late brother Senator Lindsey Graham's seat and is a candidate for the Republican nomination, spoke with WYFF News 4 about her views on data centers. The interview, conducted in Washington D.C., highlighted her strong belief in the critical role data centers play for both the economy and national security, echoing concerns raised by President Trump regarding technological competition with China and advancements in AI.
However, Senator Graham also stressed the necessity for significant local involvement when making decisions about where data centers are built. She called for the implementation of restrictions to ensure that the tech companies developing these facilities do not cause an undue increase in utility bills for average citizens. Despite these necessary safeguards, Graham underscored that the United States must actively engage in this competition with China.