SCETA Convenes Compute Infrastructure Council to Help Shape South Carolina's 2027 Data Center and Energy Legislation

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November 5 founding meeting will bring industry, energy providers, policymakers and community stakeholders together to develop performance-based approaches to compute infrastructure, ratepayer protection and economic opportunity.

CHARLESTON, S.C. - October 29, 2026 - The South Carolina Emerging Tech Association (SCETA) today announced the founding meeting of its Compute Infrastructure Council™, a statewide working consortium established under the ASCENDSC™ initiative to help develop practical legislation and policy for South Carolina's rapidly expanding compute economy.

The virtual founding meeting will take place Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

Two proposals under development

The Council will invite industry representatives, utilities, energy developers, local governments, nonprofit organizations, community stakeholders and policymakers to contribute to two legislative proposals under development for the 2027 South Carolina General Assembly.

Data Center Development Act. A proposed framework for predictable, performance-based development standards addressing siting, infrastructure requirements, environmental stewardship, local land-use authority, transparency and community safeguards.

Strategic Energy & Compute Zones Act. A proposed framework connecting strategic compute development with energy innovation, behind-the-meter generation, grid integration, flexible and interruptible loads, demand response, cost causation and local economic participation.

Neither proposal is finalized. The Council is being convened specifically to gather stakeholder input before legislative language and policy recommendations are completed.

Moving beyond the data center debate

South Carolina faces increasing questions about the energy demands, land use, water resources and economic benefits associated with data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Some communities have responded with development restrictions and moratoria. Industry representatives, meanwhile, have emphasized the importance of predictable rules, infrastructure availability and investment certainty.

SCETA believes South Carolina needs a more comprehensive approach that recognizes legitimate community concerns while distinguishing infrastructure projects by their actual performance and impacts rather than relying exclusively on facility size or arbitrary megawatt thresholds.

South Carolina should not have to choose between economic opportunity and protecting its communities. We need rules that protect ratepayers, respect local government, reward responsible development and recognize the value that flexible energy and compute infrastructure can bring to our state.

Dennis Fassuliotis, President of SCETA

The purpose of this Council is not to ask stakeholders to endorse legislation we've already written. It's to bring them into the conversation before the legislation is finalized.

Energy, compute and community participation

The Council's work will address six interconnected priorities.

Responsible development: Predictable siting and performance standards that respect local land-use authority.
Ratepayer protection: Transparent cost allocation so infrastructure expenses are borne by those responsible for creating them.
Energy innovation: Behind-the-meter generation, grid integration, demand response and flexible or interruptible computing loads.
Environmental stewardship: Water management, resource efficiency and measurable operational standards.
Investment certainty: A consistent policy environment encouraging responsible private capital investment.
Community participation: Opportunities for local governments, landowners, educational institutions and civic organizations to contribute to infrastructure decisions and share in economic benefits.

The Council will also examine how different computing operations affect the electric grid, including the potential benefits of facilities capable of reducing demand during periods of system stress.

This performance-based approach builds on SCETA's work before the South Carolina Public Service Commission advocating for cost causation, grid reliability, flexible-load treatment and responsible large-load integration.

Building on ASCENDSC™

The Council is an implementation initiative of ASCENDSC™ - Building the Trust State™, SCETA's statewide framework connecting energy, compute, capital, public policy and accountable technology development.

ASCENDSC™ recognizes that artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, digital commerce and economic development are converging. South Carolina's ability to compete in this emerging economy will depend on aligning private investment, public policy and meaningful community participation.

SCETA formally introduced ASCENDSC™ in its statewide announcement earlier this year. Read the background announcement.

Invitation to participate

SCETA is inviting participation from corporate and industry representatives, energy providers, technology developers, economic development organizations, nonprofit and community organizations, educational institutions and public officials.

The developing participation framework anticipates corporate members, industry observers, community partners and legislative or government participants.

Participation in the Council does not imply endorsement of any legislative proposal, nor does it guarantee membership or influence over SCETA policy positions.

Founding meeting

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern | Virtual via Zoom

Request to participate and register

Participation is by invitation or approved registration. Submitting a registration request does not guarantee confirmation. Participation is subject to SCETA approval.

About the South Carolina Emerging Tech Association

The South Carolina Emerging Tech Association (SCETA) is an industry and public-policy organization advancing responsible emerging technology development, innovation, education and economic opportunity across South Carolina.

Through ASCENDSC™, SCETA brings together technology, energy, infrastructure, capital, government and community stakeholders to develop practical frameworks for South Carolina's evolving digital economy.

SCETA advocates for innovation grounded in individual rights, transparent governance, market opportunity, infrastructure accountability and public trust.

SCETA website | ASCENDSC™