Ossoff, Collins questioned over data centers' impact on utility bills
Senators Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins were questioned about the proposed $20 billion OpenAI data center facility in Effingham County and its potential effects on Georgia utility bills. Both said local communities should have a say, while Collins argued data centers must pay for their impacts on local infrastructure and Ossoff said residents should not subsidize their energy use.
The debate focused on a proposed $20 billion OpenAI data center facility in Effingham County, Georgia. The project has faced backlash over its anticipated demands for electricity and water, with concerns that pressure on the power grid could increase monthly utility bills for families and small businesses.
Republican Rep. Mike Collins emphasized local control and said data centers should cover the infrastructure costs they create rather than shifting those expenses to residents. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff said Georgia households and small businesses should not subsidize data center energy consumption and criticized a data center tax provision that he said benefits developers. The discussion did not establish a final decision on the facility.