Kemp touts data centers, calls AI 'scary' but essential
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has voiced strong opposition to statewide data center moratoriums, calling such proposals "irresponsible" and "insane," while advocating for local control over development decisions. This comes as former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms proposes a statewide pause on data center construction to assess their impact. Meanwhile, OpenAI's planned $20 billion data center in Effingham County faces local opposition due to environmental concerns, particularly regarding noisy, polluting diesel generators.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has criticized proposals for statewide data center moratoriums, including one suggested by former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Kemp, nearing the end of his final term, stated in a POLITICO Energy interview that such a pause is "irresponsible" and "insane," arguing that communities, not the state, should determine where data centers are built to leverage tax revenue and other benefits.
Bottoms, now running for governor, had previously indicated her intention to call for a pause in data center construction across Georgia if elected, citing a need to understand the state's current trajectory regarding these developments. Kemp acknowledged concerns about AI's impact on children and national security but emphasized the importance of staying competitive with countries like China economically and militarily, highlighting data centers as essential infrastructure.
The debate unfolds amidst active development and opposition in the state. OpenAI recently announced plans for a $20 billion data center on an industrial site in Effingham County near Savannah. Despite OpenAI meeting with local officials and utilities, the project has drawn criticism and protests. Beth Remmes of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light attended an open house, expressing concerns over the project's reliance on noisy and polluting diesel-fueled generators for backup power, seeking more detailed explanations from the company.