Citizens urge Marietta City Council to scuttle data center
Citizens are protesting a year-old zoning approval for a data center in Marietta, Georgia, citing environmental, noise, and electricity concerns and calling for a moratorium. Despite the city stating no active project or agreement exists, protesters are pushing for the council to overturn the prior vote and implement a moratorium.
Citizens crowded Marietta City Hall to demand the city council overturn a year-old vote that allowed a data center on Bells Ferry Road. Protesters, including those associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, expressed concerns about environmental impact, noise, and potential increases in electricity bills, urging the council to impose a moratorium on data centers until an environmental impact study is conducted. State Rep. Gabriel Sanchez also spoke against the development, advocating for community needs over AI data centers.
Marietta city officials responded by reiterating that there is no active data center project in the works, nor is there any agreement with Marietta Power for electrical use. They clarified that the original 100-megawatt proposal fell through, and discussions for smaller power amounts (60MW or less) have stalled, ensuring any potential agreement would not strain the electrical grid. However, opposition remains strong, with residents like Diana Martin worried about noise and pollution, while others like Tracy Stevenson note that the approved zoning was for a smaller-scale project not related to AI, and that no current deal exists, highlighting the ongoing, politicized debate.