Warnock calls for data center moratorium during Effingham County visit

Senator Raphael Warnock visited Effingham County, Georgia, on Friday to meet with residents concerning a proposed OpenAI data center project, known as Project Camellia. During his visit, Sen. Warnock called for a moratorium on data center developments in the county, criticizing the lack of public input regarding the OpenAI project. Residents, including Raymond Carver, expressed frustration over feeling blindsided by the announcement and ignored by local officials, prompting Sen. Warnock to describe the process as a "height of arrogance and hubris."

Warnock outlined specific conditions under which a moratorium could be lifted for any future project, including guarantees against increased water or electric bills, and the absence of air, water, noise, or light pollution. He also demanded that decisions about such projects not be made under non-disclosure agreements. The Effingham County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public work session on the project Saturday.

Brandt Herndon, CEO of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority (ECIDA), defended the initial confidentiality, stating it was necessary for economic development negotiations. He assured that the public would have opportunities for review as the project moves through local, state, and regulatory processes, and committed to transparency. OpenAI also issued a statement, affirming its support for protecting Georgia families and communities, highlighting its commitment to cover electric infrastructure costs, use closed-loop cooling to minimize water use, and provide $80 million in community benefits informed by local input. The company pledged continued public engagement throughout the project's design, permitting, and review phases.