Bottoms, Jackson Clash Over Georgia Data Center Growth
Georgia gubernatorial candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson are at odds over data center development in the state, with Bottoms advocating for a construction pause due to electricity demand, and Jackson emphasizing local control. The debate is intensified by Jackson's acknowledged investment in a data center project in Bowie County, Texas. Meanwhile, Georgia regulators have adopted special billing terms for large energy consumers to manage increasing utility costs.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms is calling for a pause on new data center construction across Georgia, citing concerns that rapid growth in electricity demand could unfairly burden residential utility customers. Conversely, Republican nominee Rick Jackson argues that communities should have a significant say in whether such projects proceed locally. The political dispute has also brought scrutiny to Jackson's acknowledged investment in a data center project in Texas, raising questions about the consistency of his local-control stance with his business interests.
Bottoms' campaign has explicitly stated her intention to halt new data center construction to safeguard communities from potential increases in utility bills. Jackson, through an Atlanta Journal-Constitution opinion column, has advocated for transparent decision-making processes where residents are empowered to voice their opinions on projects affecting their areas. The Georgia Public Service Commission has responded to an estimated surge in electricity demand, approving special billing terms for new customers consuming over 100 megawatts, which includes longer contracts and recovery of site-specific costs. The commission also certified nearly 10,000 megawatts of new generation, with approximately 80% intended for data centers.
Further complicating the regulatory landscape, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed a 2024 bill that aimed to suspend sales-tax exemptions for new high-technology data center equipment, arguing it could deter long-term investment. Georgia's approach to data center development is decentralized, relying on local zoning and land-use decisions. An example of local impact is Monroe County, where the Planning and Zoning Board rejected a proposal to rezone 900 acres for a data center following significant community opposition.
Jackson's investment in a Texas data center project, specifically one tied to Datahub Developers LLC in Bowie County, has drawn attention due to resident concerns over water use, power demand, and the public process. While the precise nature of Jackson's financial involvement and the project's current status remain unclear, it has become a central point in the debate over his credibility and the transparency he advocates for Georgia's communities.