Commissioners approve Brannen Drive subdivision in 4-2 vote

Bulloch County commissioners recently received a detailed presentation from Damon Mullis, Executive Director of the Ogeechee Riverkeeper, highlighting growing concerns about the environmental and infrastructural impacts of data centers as development interest in Georgia continues to rise. Mullis emphasized that modern data centers, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence, require substantially more power and water—consuming between one and five million gallons of water daily, a figure comparable to or exceeding the total daily usage of the entire City of Statesboro. The presentation outlined potential negative consequences for local communities, including increased strain on energy grids, rising utility costs, stormwater runoff, and light and noise pollution. Mullis also pointed to limited long-term economic benefits, noting that while construction creates temporary jobs, data centers typically employ a small permanent workforce. In response to these concerns, Mullis urged commissioners to adopt proactive regulatory measures. He recommended maintaining or extending the county's existing moratorium on data center developments, implementing special use permit requirements, and mandating strict conditions such as environmental impact studies, specific water sourcing requirements, and community benefit agreements. He stressed the importance of local oversight rather than relying solely on state-level regulations. This presentation is a precursor to a planned public hearing in May, where Bulloch County commissioners are expected to further deliberate on data center regulations.