If Data Centers Come to South Carolina, They Must Pay Their Own Way
The Issue
South Carolina lawmakers are currently debating the “Data Center Development Act,” a bill that would place new state-level guardrails on the rapid growth of data centers across our state.
At the center of this debate is a simple question: Who should pay for the massive infrastructure demands these facilities create?
Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. Utility projections suggest that 60 to 70 percent of South Carolina’s new power demand in the coming years could come from data centers. That level of demand will require significant upgrades to power grids, substations, transmission lines, and potentially water systems.
Everyday ratepayers should not be footing that bill.
Families are already facing rising costs for groceries, housing, and utilities. Small businesses are struggling with overhead expenses. If large technology companies build facilities that require extensive infrastructure expansion, they must fully fund the upgrades necessary to support their operations.
The Data Center Development Act includes provisions requiring companies to cover the costs of infrastructure improvements tied to their facilities. This principle is essential and must be preserved and strengthened.
Economic development should not mean shifting corporate infrastructure costs onto working families.
We call on the South Carolina General Assembly to ensure that any final legislation:
- Requires data center operators to fully fund grid upgrades, water system improvements, and related infrastructure
- Prohibits utilities from passing data center expansion costs onto residential ratepayers
- Maintains transparency so South Carolinians understand how large energy consumers affect their power bills
South Carolina can welcome innovation while protecting its residents. Growth and fairness are not mutually exclusive.
If data centers choose to build here, they must pay their own way.
Sign this petition to demand that South Carolina protect ratepayers and require data center companies to fund the infrastructure their projects require.
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The Issue
South Carolina lawmakers are currently debating the “Data Center Development Act,” a bill that would place new state-level guardrails on the rapid growth of data centers across our state.
At the center of this debate is a simple question: Who should pay for the massive infrastructure demands these facilities create?
Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. Utility projections suggest that 60 to 70 percent of South Carolina’s new power demand in the coming years could come from data centers. That level of demand will require significant upgrades to power grids, substations, transmission lines, and potentially water systems.
Everyday ratepayers should not be footing that bill.
Families are already facing rising costs for groceries, housing, and utilities. Small businesses are struggling with overhead expenses. If large technology companies build facilities that require extensive infrastructure expansion, they must fully fund the upgrades necessary to support their operations.
The Data Center Development Act includes provisions requiring companies to cover the costs of infrastructure improvements tied to their facilities. This principle is essential and must be preserved and strengthened.
Economic development should not mean shifting corporate infrastructure costs onto working families.
We call on the South Carolina General Assembly to ensure that any final legislation:
- Requires data center operators to fully fund grid upgrades, water system improvements, and related infrastructure
- Prohibits utilities from passing data center expansion costs onto residential ratepayers
- Maintains transparency so South Carolinians understand how large energy consumers affect their power bills
South Carolina can welcome innovation while protecting its residents. Growth and fairness are not mutually exclusive.
If data centers choose to build here, they must pay their own way.
Sign this petition to demand that South Carolina protect ratepayers and require data center companies to fund the infrastructure their projects require.
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Petition created on February 23, 2026