Concerned citizens discuss landfill, data center

Residents of Brantley County, Georgia, convened at Nahunta Primary School in Nahunta to address concerns and coordinate efforts against a proposed data center. Event organizer Tanya Tomanek framed the issue as a fundamental conflict, encouraging community solidarity to halt the project. Citizens voiced broader anxieties about artificial intelligence, including job displacement and security risks, with some expressing religious objections to AI's presence in their lives. J.T. Flanders, an ecologist from Brunswick, presented findings on the potential ecological impacts, particularly concerning microbial diversity and the aquifer, asserting that current assessments by data companies often rely on biased consulting firms. The discussion also touched on a previous court case involving the Brantley County Commission and the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) regarding a proposed landfill, which Flanders suggested was mismanaged by the county. Tomanek also sought to secure funding for a $25,000 legal retainer fee to challenge the data center development. Other topics included allegations of a gag order on the matter, low voter turnout, and suspicions of closed-door decisions by the commission. Kat Montgomery from the 100 Miles conservation group urged attendees to formally request a data center moratorium from the commission at an upcoming April 7 work session. Georgia House of Representatives candidate David Hall informed the gathering that while some state representatives are opposing data center proliferation in rural counties, they remain outnumbered, leading to continued state-level promotion of such projects. Hall also highlighted how data centers are escalating Georgia Power's energy demands, potentially burdening residents with higher costs.