Data center, power plant accused of building generators without permits
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has issued notices of violation to VoltaGrid and Serverfarm after environmental groups accused them of building a power plant for a data center in Covington without necessary permits. The plant, which would use 33 internal-combustion engines, has raised concerns about air pollution from diesel and natural gas units. Environmental groups are urging the EPD to halt construction and assess penalties.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued notices of violation to microgrid company VoltaGrid and data center developer Serverfarm, following accusations from environmental groups that they are constructing a new power plant and data center backup generators in Covington, Georgia, without the required permits.
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Altamaha Riverkeeper, and Sustainable Newton sent a letter to the EPD, urging an investigation and enforcement action. They allege that construction is already underway, bypassing the public participation process and violating Georgia law and the federal Clean Air Act. The proposed power plant, described as the first of its kind in Georgia, would feature 33 internal-combustion engines to power Serverfarm's data center, raising public concerns about air pollution from diesel and natural gas emissions.
Nancy Schulz of Sustainable Newton emphasized the need for companies like VoltaGrid and Serverfarm to adhere to state and federal regulations, contrasting their alleged actions with other data center developers like Meta and Amazon, which she described as good community partners. The environmental groups have requested that the EPD order a halt to all prohibited construction activities and impose penalties for the alleged violations. The EPD issued notices of violation after inspecting the facility.
The incident highlights broader opposition to Georgia's data center boom, driven by environmental impacts, particularly the high electricity and water consumption of hyperscale data centers. While some local officials welcome the investment, concerns persist regarding grid strain, the reliance on fossil fuels for new energy demand, and the potential for costs to be passed on to ordinary customers. VoltaGrid, Serverfarm, and the Georgia EPD did not respond to requests for comment.