Augusta Commissioners to visit data center and extend moratorium before voting on new ordinance
Augusta leaders are planning a visit to a data center in Atlanta before they vote on new regulations for data centers in Augusta. They intend to extend the current seven-week moratorium into August to allow for this visit and further review of the ordinance. Residents have expressed concerns about noise from facilities like the QTS data center under construction.
Augusta city leaders are preparing to vote on new regulations for data centers and plan to visit a facility in Atlanta on August 3rd to better understand their operations. Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle noted that noise is a significant concern for residents, particularly in the Hayne’s Station neighborhood where a QTS data center is under construction. Resident James Mitchell expressed frustration, stating he was unaware of the project when he moved into the area.
To accommodate the visit and further review the proposed ordinance, city leaders are looking to extend the current seven-week moratorium on approving new data center sites into August. The Mayor Pro-Tem suggested the moratorium be extended until August 18th, when he hopes the vote on the new regulations can take place after any necessary changes are made to the ordinance. The current moratorium is set to expire soon, making the extension decision timely for the commissioners.