Proposed moratorium on future data centers presented to Columbia County commissioners
A proposal for a temporary moratorium on new data center developments was presented to the Columbia County Commission. Commission Chair candidate Cambrey Wood advocated for the pause to allow the county to review existing ordinances and establish new rules to protect residents. The proposal aims to ensure community benefits and long-term protections.
A proposal for a temporary moratorium on future data center developments was presented to the Columbia County Commission on Tuesday night. The request, which does not impact two already-approved data centers, aims to pause additional developments until the county can establish new regulations.
Commission Chair candidate Cambrey Wood championed the proposal, stating it's an opportune time to implement a robust ordinance to protect county residents. Wood's plan also includes a timeline for policy review, allowing commissioners to address concerns about future development before more projects are considered for approval.
Wood emphasized the need for a community benefit agreement, noting that promises from entities like Georgia Power and "big data" regarding their "fair share" do not legally bind them. Other speakers also advocated for long-term protections, such as a security grant, to mitigate risks if data center operations cease.
Columbia County Commissioners declined to comment on the proposal when reached by a WJBF reporter, and no statement has been released so far.