Project Camellia Raises Environmental Concerns in Effingham County
Project Camellia, a proposed 1,400-acre data center campus by OpenAI in Effingham County, is raising significant environmental concerns among residents and local groups. Key issues include potential noise pollution, air quality degradation from increased power generation, and substantial water usage and wetlands impact. A public meeting for an air permit related to Georgia Power's expansion, driven by data center demand, is scheduled.
Effingham County residents and environmental groups have expressed significant concerns regarding Project Camellia, a proposed 1,400-acre data center campus by OpenAI. The main worries center on potential environmental impacts, including noise pollution from the facility's extensive HVAC systems and thousands of fans, which could run 24/7, affecting nearby residents like those in Belmont Glen.
Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions are also major issues. Georgia Power has a 25-year agreement to supply 3.2 gigawatts of electricity to OpenAI, leading to plans for expanding Plant McIntosh, one of the state's largest carbon dioxide emitters. This expansion could add 5 million tons of greenhouse gases and 63,000 pounds of hazardous air pollutants annually. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD) is holding a virtual public meeting on August 14 for the draft air permit required for this power plant expansion. Concerns also exist about diesel generators used for backup power at the data center, which emit local air pollutants.
Water usage is another critical point, despite OpenAI's assurance of a "minimal" closed-loop cooling system. The project is expected to draw surface water from the Savannah River, and the specific withdrawal amount has not been disclosed, raising concerns given existing water withdrawal restrictions in parts of Effingham County due to drought. The possibility of leaks from the closed-loop system and their impact on nearby wetlands and waterways, particularly Dasher Creek and Sweigoffer Creek in Rincon, has also been questioned.
The project's impact on local ecosystems is substantial, with roughly 1,000 acres of wetlands potentially being converted to impervious surfaces and the displacement of wildlife within the 1,600 acres of wet pine flatwoods. Residents are demanding detailed information about the project's environmental effects and mitigation plans, advocating for environmental stewardship alongside economic development before final decisions are made.