Chatham County puts hold on large data centers
Chatham County has enacted a 155-day moratorium on large data centers requiring 10 megawatts or more of energy, following a similar move by Savannah. This pause allows county staff to study potential impacts on infrastructure and develop appropriate zoning classifications. The decision was influenced by OpenAI's announcement of a large data center project in nearby Effingham County.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 155-day moratorium on large data centers requiring 10 megawatts or more of energy. This action, which mirrors an ordinance recently passed by the Savannah City Council, aims to provide county staff with time to study the potential impacts of data centers on local infrastructure and to develop appropriate zoning classifications for these developments.
This regional move to pause data center development was largely prompted by the announcement of OpenAI's plans for a massive $20 billion data center in neighboring Effingham County. Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis stated the moratorium would allow citizens and staff to gather more information, expressing a desire to avoid the community friction seen in Effingham County.
In addition to the 10-megawatt threshold, Chatham County's moratorium also prohibits the conversion of warehouses measuring 200,000 square feet or more into data centers, mirroring a provision in Savannah's moratorium. District 7 Commissioner Dean Kicklighter, who initially proposed a longer one-year moratorium, emphasized that the current 155-day pause, with a potential 60-day extension, is about achieving a balance between residential neighborhoods and new development.
District 4 Commissioner Bran Hussey supported the moratorium but also highlighted the potential economic benefits of large data centers, particularly their impact on the tax base, referencing OpenAI's anticipated role as Effingham County's largest taxpayer. Hussey urged a swift and thorough study to ensure the county does not miss out on opportunities, and commissioners have also tasked staff with researching and potentially drafting a moratorium for smaller-scale data centers.