Data center, PFAS bills were a bust but Georgia environmentalists cheer boost for conservation
News ClipWFXG·GA·4/10/2026
The 2026 Georgia legislative session concluded with most bills aimed at curbing data center growth, regulating their operations, and addressing environmental concerns failing to pass. Environmentalists and consumer advocates expressed disappointment, though a bill regarding land disturbance permits, which had implications for data centers, did pass with amendments. The state's Outdoor Stewardship Program also secured extended funding.
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Gov: Georgia House of Representatives, Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Public Service Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Legislature
The 2026 Georgia legislative session concluded with most environmental and data center-related bills failing to pass, despite initial broad support for proposals aimed at curbing the rapid expansion of data centers and addressing PFAS contamination. Lawmakers considered measures to phase out tax credits for data centers, codify Public Service Commission regulations, and address the industry's significant water and electricity demands.
Environmental groups and consumer advocates, including the Georgia Wildlife Federation, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Sierra Club of Georgia, and Georgia Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), expressed profound disappointment. April Lipscomb of SELC noted the "meaningful discourse" but criticized the legislature for "doing absolutely nothing to take on two of the most pressing environmental issues." Mark Woodall, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club of Georgia, called it an "extremely disappointing session," highlighting the failure to address concerns about data centers "sucking up all the water" and the planned 14,000-megawatt expansion by Georgia Power for data centers. Aidyn Levin of Georgia PIRG criticized the lack of protection for Georgia Power customers from potential rate increases due to data center energy demands.
Despite these failures, a bill to extend the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program for 10 years with increased funding passed. Additionally, Senate Bill 447, known as the "Muddy Water" bill, which aims to expedite the permitting process for developers, also passed. Critics initially feared it would create automatic approvals for projects, including data centers, but amendments removed the automatic approval provision and ensured local authorities have adequate time to review large development projects. This change satisfied opponents who were concerned about data centers circumventing proper review. Several other proposals, including one for woody biomass power generators to help power data centers, also failed.