Byron Walters

I support an immediate moratorium on the approval and construction of new data centers until South Carolina establishes strong protections for residents, ratepayers, and natural resources. The rapid expansion of AI and its supporting infrastructure has created significant uncertainty about long-term demands on our electrical grid and water supply. We cannot afford to wait until communities face higher utility bills, resource shortages, or lasting environmental harm before taking action.

Existing data centers must operate under clear regulatory safeguards. Residential and essential community needs should take priority whenever electricity or water supplies are strained. Data centers should also bear the full cost of the energy they consume and the infrastructure upgrades their operations require. Families and small businesses should not be forced to subsidize these facilities through higher utility rates.

Any future consideration of data-center development must include independent assessments of its economic, public-health, and environmental effects; meaningful public input; transparent reporting of water and energy consumption; and enforceable limits that protect grid reliability and local resources. If a proposed facility cannot operate without increasing costs or risks for the surrounding community, it should not be approved.

As the science and biotechnology industries continue to grow across the Carolinas, South Carolina must prepare its residents to compete for the jobs and economic opportunities they create. That preparation should begin in our K–12 schools through strong science and STEM instruction, modern laboratories and equipment, attracting qualified teachers, and opportunities for students to gain practical experience. Our community and technical colleges should offer affordable certificate and degree programs developed in partnership with universities, research institutions, and local employers so that training corresponds to real, well-paying jobs.

These opportunities must be accessible in rural and lower-income communities, not limited to wealthier school districts or major population centers. We should also create clear and affordable pathways for veterans and adults seeking to retrain, change careers, or simply transitioning from a role in the military that doesn’t parlay directly into a civilian career. Veterans specifically, should receive, dedicated career guidance and appropriate academic credit for relevant military education, training, and experience, allowing them to build upon the skills they already possess at no cost. By investing in education, hands-on training, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships, we can build a skilled workforce while ensuring that the benefits of this growing industry reach communities throughout South Carolina.

Government has a fundamental responsibility to protect public health and community well-being. Vaccines should be widely available and free at the point of service, because achieving herd immunity helps prevent avoidable illness, protects vulnerable residents, and supports a healthier workforce and stronger economy. Government must also identify, monitor, and address environmental hazards such as PFAS and asbestos, which can expose people to serious health risks without their knowledge or ability to protect themselves. Finally, strong investments in disease prevention and emergency preparedness are essential so that communities have an organized, coordinated, and effective response when crises occur—rather than being left to rely on improvised individual efforts after the damage has already begun.

Rebuilding public trust in science must begin with elected officials acting in good faith. Unfortunately, some officials have deliberately misrepresented scientific findings or exploited uncertainty to deepen public distrust for political advantage. Elected leaders should work with qualified, independent experts; communicate evidence in clear and accessible language; openly acknowledge uncertainty and changing information; and disclose potential conflicts of interest. They should also support strong public institutions and partner with trusted local voices—including educators, healthcare professionals, faith leaders, and community organizations—to make reliable information more accessible. Scientific conclusions should always remain open to legitimate scrutiny, but elected officials have a responsibility to distinguish honest debate from deliberate misinformation and to base public policy on the best available evidence rather than political convenience.