Area residents invited to nonpartisan town hall on proposed Effingham County OpenAI Data Center
Effingham County residents are invited to a town hall regarding Project Camellia, a proposed 3.2 gigawatt OpenAI data center near Rincon. The event will address community concerns about the project's massive energy and water demands, as well as the Georgia Public Service Commission's review of its power contract with Georgia Power. The aim is to inform residents and explain how they can participate in the PSC's public review process.
The Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund and One Hundred Miles are hosting a community town hall on Monday, September 14, in Springfield, to discuss Project Camellia, a proposed 1,400-acre OpenAI data center campus slated for the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub near Rincon, Effingham County.
Project Camellia, first announced in July, represents a $20 billion, four-building data center development. OpenAI is partnering with Georgia Power for this endeavor, which local leaders project could create up to 1,000 permanent jobs and generate substantial tax revenue. The project's electricity demand of 3.2 gigawatts, comparable to the needs of over 2 million homes, has placed its power contract under review by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).
Community members have voiced concerns regarding the data center's potential impact on electricity bills, the regional power grid, local water resources, and surrounding communities. The town hall aims to provide residents with direct information, access to experts, and guidance on how to participate in the PSC's public review process, ensuring public input on a project that could significantly reshape the region's energy system.