Sustain SC announced a partnership with the Public Policy Institute at Charleston School of Law that will pair a team of PPI student research fellows with Sustain SC this fall to examine how South Carolina can responsibly prepare for continued growth in energy-intensive industrial development, including data centers.
“This partnership brings rigorous legal and policy research to a question our members are asking right now — how South Carolina prepares for the energy, water and land demands that come with new industrial investment while protecting our environment and natural resources,” said Leslie Skardon, CEO of Sustain SC. “Working with PPI’s student fellows expands the depth of analysis we can bring to that conversation, and it gives the next generation of South Carolina’s legal and policy leaders direct experience at the intersection of commerce and conservation.”
The analytical, outcome-neutral project aims not to advocate for or against data centers, but to ensure communities have access to evidence-based tools for evaluating proposals and developing policy frameworks before growth pressures intensify.
As South Carolina sees increased interest from emerging industries with significant energy demands, the project will examine legal and policy frameworks that support reliable infrastructure, economic competitiveness, environmental stewardship and long-term community prosperity. Rather than focusing on a single development model, the research will evaluate how states are balancing economic opportunity with sustainable resource planning and public interests, identifying best practices that could inform future decision-making in South Carolina.
The partnership will result in a comparative analysis of how local governments regulate and site data centers. Through an evaluation of economic, infrastructure, environmental and land-use impacts, fellows will identify best practices and policy models that could be applied across South Carolina. They will also produce a playbook for use by local governments, nonprofits and community stakeholders.
Sustain SC and the students will present their findings at Sustain SC’s legislative briefing in January 2027 at the Statehouse.
The partnership is one of three community collaborations PPI announced for the fall 2026 semester, along with projects involving Able SC and the Lowcountry Food Bank. Each project pairs second- and third-year law students with a community partner to produce comprehensive legal and policy analyses designed to support informed decision-making by policymakers, nonprofit organizations and other public stakeholders.
“Our goal is not to advocate for predetermined outcomes,” said Jennifer Wilkins, director of the Public Policy Institute. “Rather, we seek to equip decision-makers with in-depth research, legal analysis and practical policy options that help communities navigate increasingly complex issues.”
About Sustain SC
Sustain SC is an economic development-driven organization that connects the sustainability goals of South Carolina businesses with local solutions for the benefit of the state’s economy, environment and people.