Keisha Lance Bottoms backs ‘pause’ in data center construction
Keisha Lance Bottoms, Democratic nominee for Georgia governor, supports a temporary statewide pause on new data center construction. She believes consumers should not bear the costs and it shouldn't harm the environment. She also criticizes her opponent, Rick Jackson, for his data center investments and actions in Texas.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee for governor, reaffirmed her support for a temporary moratorium, or "pause," on new data center construction in Georgia during an extended interview for The Georgia Vote. She stated that consumers across the state should not be forced to absorb the operational costs of these facilities, nor should the environment be taxed.
Bottoms criticized her opponent, Rick Jackson, for his investments in data centers. She highlighted a situation in Buoie, Texas, where, despite community opposition, Jackson's company is reportedly proceeding with data center development "under this cloak of secrecy." Bottoms emphasized the need to prevent similar situations in Georgia, stressing the importance of a responsible path forward, especially as Georgia has become the number one state for data centers.
Regarding the duration of the proposed pause, Bottoms indicated it should last "as long as it takes" to ensure the state is on the right trajectory. She explained that during this period, her administration would gather information from data center constructors, consumers impacted by these centers, and environmental experts before determining the state's next steps.