Timmons, McClain say how they can assure data centers will not increase utility costs
During a debate in Greenville, Rep. William Timmons and Democratic nominee Courtney McClain discussed how to prevent data centers from increasing electricity costs or harming water quality. Timmons backed ratepayer protections and local control, while McClain called for a moratorium on hyperscale data centers and their expansion.
Rep. William Timmons and Democratic nominee Courtney McClain addressed data center development during a debate in Greenville, focusing on projects in South Carolina's Upstate and the controversy surrounding Project Sparrow, which was withdrawn after public opposition. Timmons said he supported the Ratepayer Protection Act, which he argued would prevent new data centers from shifting energy costs to surrounding communities.
Timmons said decisions about whether to host data centers should rest with state and local governments, citing Allendale and Spartanburg as examples. McClain argued that policymakers should address the underlying issue by supporting a federal moratorium on construction and expansion of hyperscale data centers. She also pointed to opposition in Spartanburg and criticized incumbents who had supported the project, while Timmons said members of Congress do not determine where data centers are located.