Data-center disinformation proliferates across Georgia
An opinion article argues that opposition to Georgia’s rapidly expanding data center industry is often based on misinformation about water use, electricity rates and community impacts. It highlights planned projects in Effingham, Clayton, LaGrange and Columbia County, asserting that data centers could increase tax revenue and potentially reduce property taxes and utility costs.
Marc Hyden of the R Street Institute argues that public backlash against Georgia’s data center growth has overstated concerns about health, water consumption and electricity prices. He cites the state’s 227 tracked facilities and projects, including OpenAI’s proposed $20 billion campus in Effingham County, a planned $13 billion facility in Clayton County, a $1 billion expansion in LaGrange and Google’s proposed $17 billion investment in Columbia County.
The commentary says data centers could become major sources of local tax revenue and help reduce residents’ tax burdens. Hyden also discusses legislative debate over ratepayer protections, private power generation by data center operators and alternative cooling systems, while contending that projected economic benefits outweigh concerns about energy and water use.