Over a dozen Columbus residents plead with city council for data center moratorium
Columbus residents are pleading with the city council to enact a one-year moratorium on data center development, specifically against "Project Ruby," a proposed hyperscale data center. Concerns include environmental risks, potential utility rate increases, and a lack of transparency regarding water and energy capacity. The council is currently discussing a technology overlay district ordinance that would permit data centers in Muscogee County.
Columbus Council met for over nine hours, with three dedicated to discussing a proposed technology overlay district ordinance that would allow data center construction in Muscogee County. Residents, many wearing "No Data Center" shirts, protested and commented on the first reading of the ordinance.
Project Ruby, a hyperscale data center development by Habitat Real Estate Partners for an undisclosed major tech company, is slated for 865 acres in northeastern Muscogee County, with a projected $5.18 billion investment between 2027 and 2030. Opponents, including Darlene Laird, Dalia Collins, Alicia Hercord, and Theresa El-Amin, requested a one-year moratorium to allow for more informed decision-making. They cited concerns about water and energy capacity, the volatility of the AI market, and general environmental impacts.
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper technical program specialist Ashley Desensi raised specific environmental issues, advocating for Tier IV diesel generator requirements and closer examination of PFAS. Sierra Club legislative chairman Mark Woodall called data centers the "number one threat to the environment and power bills in the state of Georgia" and supported a moratorium. Clean Energy Columbus representative Christine Difeliciantonio suggested additions to the ordinance, including a decommissioning plan, industrial-only zoning, community benefit agreements, and better technology adoption.
Despite widespread calls for a moratorium, the council continued discussions on the overlay ordinance. Motions by Councilor Toyia Tucker to add PFAS verbiage and revert a setback to 500 feet were approved. Mayor Pro Rem Gary Allen emphasized that the ordinance is a "template, not a final document." Councilor Garrett Walker also secured an amendment to prohibit diesel generators. The Ledger-Enquirer reported no councilor responded to questions about why a moratorium was not voted on.