NANCY MACE SEEKS TO FOLLOW FLORIDA’S LEAD ON DATA CENTER LEGISLATION

Data Centers Must Cover Their Own Energy Costs, Protect SC Ratepayers

 Nancy Mace today praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and called on South Carolina to adopt a similar approach – one that puts families first and ensures data centers pay their own way, not hardworking South Carolinians.

Florida recently passed legislation requiring data centers to cover the full cost of the power and infrastructure they demand, shielding everyday ratepayers from being stuck with the bill. Without commonsense guardrails like those Governor DeSantis championed in Florida, utility companies could pass staggering costs directly onto families already struggling with the rising cost of living.

“South Carolina families are already stretched thin,” said Rep. Nancy Mace. “Groceries cost more. Energy bills cost more. And now Big Tech wants to plant massive data centers across our state and let South Carolina ratepayers foot the bill for their power.”

As governor, Rep. Mace would push for legislation modeled after Florida’s approach, requiring data centers to bear the full financial cost of their energy consumption and any grid infrastructure upgrades needed to support it – with zero cost-shifting to residential customers or small businesses.

Congresswoman Mace’s push to protect South Carolina ratepayers is part of her broader cost-of-living agenda, which includes the Five Years to Zero plan to fully eliminate South Carolina’s income tax. 

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