Georgia Candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson Debate Data Center Development
Keisha Lance Bottoms called for pausing new data center construction in Georgia until officials develop a statewide plan addressing power use, water supplies, eminent domain and community impacts. Rick Jackson defended data centers if communities approve them, environmental standards are met and residents receive economic benefits.
During a Georgia political debate, Keisha Lance Bottoms urged a pause on new data center construction while the state develops a framework for managing the industry’s effects on rural water supplies, electricity demand, power plants and eminent domain. She said Georgia should consult consumers and technical experts before allowing additional projects to proceed.
Rick Jackson said he would support a data center only if the host community approves it, strict U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards are followed and residents receive benefits such as lower power bills and property taxes. Bottoms questioned Jackson’s involvement with companies developing data centers in Texas and cited the Atlanta mayor’s approval of three data centers with roughly $400 million in tax benefits, while Jackson denied owning a data center and defended his record.