DeKalb extends moratorium as data center backlash grows across Georgia

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to extend its moratorium on new data centers through Sept. 30, following intense pressure from residents concerned about the impact of these developments. During a Tuesday meeting, commissioners heard community concerns ranging from contaminated water supplies and rising power bills to property damage.

Residents like Brandon Brown of Conley urged the commissioners to implement a year-long moratorium and adopt robust regulations to safeguard their neighborhoods. The "More Perfect Union" episode, featuring U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's visit to Georgia, highlighted stories from residents in DeKalb, Forest Park, Coweta, Morgan, and Newton counties who reported adverse effects. Patricia Shepherd from Newton County shared photos of ceiling damage she attributed to blasts from an Amazon Web Services data center construction, while Pamela Felder from Forest Park detailed cracks in her home near a 2-million-square-foot data center.

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, alongside U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, aiming to pause AI data center development nationwide while protections are established. Despite residents' accusations of officials being influenced by development incentives, DeKalb Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to protecting citizens. Meanwhile, other Georgia cities like Union City and Forest Park have already approved data center zoning despite local objections, while Clayton County, where Forest Park is located, maintains its own data center moratorium.