DeKalb County Residents Oppose Proposed Data Center Regulations

DeKalb County, Georgia, is grappling with significant resident opposition as county leaders consider new regulations to define and impose limits on data center developments. An amendment was presented at a recent county commission meeting to establish these rules, spurred by three development applications.

Gina Mangham, leader of the Citizens Coalition, voiced strong disapproval from residents, stating, "Not one person has come up here in favor of this text amendment. We do not want data centers in DeKalb County." The coalition, representing over 100 people, raised concerns about pollution, water usage, noise, and the potential for increased utility bills due to power demands. They also brought in KeShaun Pearson, co-founder of Memphis Community Against Pollution, who shared experiences from Memphis regarding noise pollution, air quality issues, and localized temperature increases allegedly linked to data centers.

Commissioners also expressed their concerns, with Edward Terry of District 6 citing studies from Arizona State and Cambridge universities indicating temperature increases near data centers. Terry plans to propose resolutions for a third-party environmental health study and its funding. District 4 Commissioner Chakira Johnson called for greater transparency in the regulatory process. The county currently has a moratorium on new data center applications and expansions in place until September 30, which has been deferred to an August 11 meeting for further public comment. Opponents, including Pearson, advocate for maintaining the moratorium until a people-first precedent is established.