SC GOP governor candidates clash, agree on policy at Wofford debate
Republican gubernatorial candidates in South Carolina debated various topics, including a proposed statewide moratorium on data centers, with differing views among them. The discussion followed public protests in Spartanburg that led to the rejection of a tax incentive package for a $3 billion data center. Concerns about water and electricity grid capacity were highlighted by opponents of data center expansion.
Four Republican gubernatorial candidates in South Carolina recently participated in a debate at Wofford College, where they discussed various policy issues and exchanged personal criticisms. A key point of contention was a proposed one-year statewide moratorium on new data centers.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace endorsed the moratorium, citing constituent concerns in Spartanburg County about the impact of data centers on water system capacity and the electric grid. She criticized local leaders for not listening to these concerns. Conversely, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman opposed a moratorium, emphasizing private property rights, but suggested discouraging local governments from offering incentives for data center development. Businessman Rom Reddy called data centers "a hoax" that consume excessive land, water, and utilities, vowing to halt their expansion in the state. State Attorney General Alan Wilson echoed former President Donald Trump's view that data centers are a national security issue, suggesting that opposition should be addressed at the local level. This debate follows recent public protests in Spartanburg, which prompted county council members to reject a $3 billion data center tax incentive package.