Federal limits on data centers would protect South Carolina consumers from rising electricity costs

Large computing facilities built to train and run artificial intelligence models, and the public questions they raise about electricity, water and land. Fought locally through zoning and utility rates, and nationally through energy policy, grid capacity and federal support for the industry.

Republican Senator Darline Graham and Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews held their first and likely only South Carolina Senate debate on October 11, 2026, in a race to succeed the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The candidates disputed their experience, Iran policy, artificial intelligence, and data-center development.