Senator criticizes lack of transparency on Effingham data center
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock visited Effingham County, Georgia, to address concerns about OpenAI's proposed Project Camellia data center. He called for a moratorium on data center development until greater transparency and community input are ensured, citing resident opposition due to lack of involvement. The senator emphasized the project is not a done deal and criticized the lack of public hearings.
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., visited Effingham County, Georgia, to engage with residents regarding OpenAI's proposed $20 billion "Project Camellia" data center. During his visit, he called for a moratorium on data center development until developers can guarantee transparency, ensure projects will not increase utility rates, pollute air or water, create noise/light issues, and address concerns from community members.
Warnock underscored the growing opposition among Effingham residents who feel excluded from the planning process for the 1,400-acre campus, which could require up to 3.2 gigawatts of electricity. He asserted that Project Camellia is not an inevitable outcome and criticized the use of nondisclosure agreements, calling them antithetical to democracy. He also questioned the lack of public scrutiny around OpenAI's agreement with Georgia Power, which would make OpenAI the state's largest power customer.
OpenAI issued a statement affirming its commitment to protecting Georgia families, pledging to cover electric infrastructure costs, utilize closed-loop cooling to minimize water use, and provide $80 million in community benefits shaped by local input. The company stated it has been meeting with stakeholders since the project's announcement and will continue engagement throughout design, permitting, and review. Warnock and local advocates, including John Smith of Protect Effingham Alliance, stressed the need for communities to have a meaningful voice in such large-scale developments.