Three SC Senate bills target data center growth, water use and neighborhood protections

Three bills, Senate Bills 725, 867, and 902, have been introduced in the South Carolina Senate with the shared goal of managing the rapid expansion of data centers across the state. This legislative effort comes amidst increasing demand for digital infrastructure driven by cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Norman Levine, a professor of geology and environmental geosciences at the College of Charleston, emphasized the essential role data centers play in the modern economy and scientific research. However, environmental groups, represented by Robby Maynor of the Southern Environmental Law Center, warn of significant environmental concerns related to energy, water, and community impacts. Ian O’Byrne, an associate professor at the College of Charleston, noted that the long-term effects are not yet fully understood. State Senator Allen Blackmon, a sponsor of two of the bills, acknowledged the state's need for data centers while stressing the importance of regulatory oversight. Among the proposals, one bill seeks to track data center water consumption, and another aims to establish permitting requirements and neighborhood protections for communities adjacent to proposed construction sites.