Nancy Mace Pushes South Carolina Data Center Freeze, Demands 100% Self-Supplied Power
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 19
Nancy Mace Pushes South Carolina Data Center Freeze, Demands 100% Self-Supplied Power
4 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 19
Nancy Mace called for a statewide moratorium on data centers in South Carolina and said new projects should be allowed only if they generate their own electricity.
Her push centers on rising power bills tied to AI infrastructure, with Mace arguing ratepayers should not subsidize large data-center projects while she campaigns for governor.
The move adds to a bipartisan backlash: Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a national moratorium in March, and Josh Hawley introduced a bill in February to block data centers from raising household energy costs.
South Carolina lawmakers introduced a pause measure last month, and similar proposals have surfaced in at least 12 states, though most have stalled; Maine came closest before Gov. Janet Mills vetoed its bill.
The debate exposes a split in the GOP, with Trump backing voluntary 'ratepayer protection' pledges from major tech firms in March while otherwise favoring faster AI build-out.
Can the U.S. lead the global AI race if local communities halt the infrastructure it's built on?
Are self-powered data centers a clean energy solution or a new source of local pollution?