Friday Public Hearing to Address Data Center Power Plant Expansion
A public hearing is scheduled for a proposed expansion of Georgia Power's Plant McIntosh in Rincon, Effingham County, to meet the massive electricity demand of OpenAI's Project Camellia data center. The 3,200 MW data center, one of the largest in the US, has raised concerns among residents and environmental groups about grid strain, air pollution, and the financial impact on ratepayers. The Georgia Public Service Commission has already approved significant grid expansion, including updated rules for large-load customers.
Effingham County, Georgia, is preparing for a public hearing regarding a proposed expansion of Georgia Power’s Plant McIntosh in Rincon, driven by the substantial energy demands of OpenAI’s "Project Camellia" data center. The 3,200-megawatt data center is expected to be one of the largest in the U.S., capable of powering over two million homes. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has issued a draft air permit for two additional combined-cycle units at the plant, prompting concerns from residents and environmental advocates like Jennifer Whitfield of the Southern Environmental Law Center regarding potential air pollution, water withdrawals, and the cumulative environmental impact on communities.
The proposed expansion is part of a broader effort by Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to rapidly expand the state's power grid to accommodate a boom in data center development. In December 2025, the PSC approved a nearly 10-gigawatt expansion of generating capacity, with approximately 80% dedicated to current and future data center demand. While Georgia Power officials, including communications lead Joshua Peacock, stated the additional unit at Plant McIntosh provides "optionality" for future demand, critics argue it prioritizes speed with fossil fuel resources over cleaner alternatives.
Residents, such as Jennifer Broome, have expressed worries about the existing grid's ability to support the massive power load, citing past outages during severe weather. OpenAI has agreed to provide up to 1,000 megawatts of "flexible demand response" to assist with grid stability. Associate professor Ahmed Saeed from Georgia Tech's School of Computer Science raised concerns about the rapid pace of infrastructure development and whether current regulations adequately protect ratepayers and communities, given the uncertain long-term viability of AI companies.
Critics also contend that despite assurances, data centers may not fully cover all associated costs, potentially burdening Georgia Power customers with increased bills for infrastructure expansions like Plant McIntosh. The PSC has, however, approved updated rules in January 2025, requiring large-load customers to cover full infrastructure and service costs and commit to long-term energy contracts.