Legislative Tracker
Bills affecting energy transparency, data center incentives, subsea cables, and grid planning — tracked as they move through the South Carolina General Assembly.
Federal AI Infrastructure & Energy Buildout
Federal policy is encouraging rapid AI infrastructure buildout, including data centers, energy systems, high-voltage transmission, semiconductor facilities, and workforce development. Federal agencies are also identifying federal sites for AI data center and energy infrastructure development.
Grid Modernization & Load Planning Study
Directs the PSC to study grid capacity and load planning ahead of large industrial digital infrastructure interconnections.
Data Center Development Act
Creates a statewide data center development framework. Establishes a Data Center Development Office in the Department of Environmental Services, creates an industry advisory committee, requires siting permits, operational efficiency standards, water efficiency standards, annual reporting, infrastructure adequacy assessments, environmental impact assessments, reasonable buffer requirements, utility cost-allocation review, decommissioning plans, noise/vibration/light mitigation, confidentiality protections, enforcement, penalties, and transition guidance.
Subsea Cable Infrastructure Protection Act
Establishes permitting and environmental review standards for subsea cable landing infrastructure along the South Carolina coast.
Data Center Siting Act
Requires a Public Service Commission certificate before a data center may begin operations in South Carolina. Creates a certification process, hearing record, approval criteria, operational efficiency standards, water efficiency standards, annual reporting, infrastructure adequacy assessments, environmental impact assessments, utility rate and cost-allocation review, decommissioning requirements, and noise/vibration/light mitigation.
Data Center Moratorium Companion Bill
Companion or similar moratorium proposal related to H.5286. Introduced April 14, 2026; referred to House Ways and Means.
Data Center Energy Transparency Act
Requires data center operators above a defined MW threshold to report annual energy and water consumption to the SC Energy Office.
Responsible Infrastructure Incentive Reform
Ties data center FILOT and job development credits to verified permanent job creation and local vendor participation thresholds.
Data Center Moratorium
Proposes a temporary pause on final approval of new data center projects until January 1, 2028. Applies to rezonings, special-use permits, building permits, site plans, and incentive approvals.