Georgia regulators alerted to unpermitted construction of pop-up power plant
Local residents and environmental groups have alerted the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) about unpermitted construction by VoltaGrid and Serverfarm in Covington, GA. The companies are installing methane gas and diesel-fired engines for a pop-up power plant and an adjacent data center without required environmental approvals. Groups are urging EPD to investigate and take enforcement action for alleged violations of state and federal clean air laws.
Local residents and environmental organizations have alerted the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) regarding unpermitted construction at VoltaGrid's pop-up power plant and Serverfarm's adjacent data center in Covington, Newton County.
The companies are allegedly installing over 40 methane gas and diesel-fired engines without securing the necessary environmental permits. Photos taken on June 19 and June 25 showed progress on the construction, including at least six of 33 proposed methane gas engines by VoltaGrid and 36 of 37 diesel-fired emergency generators by Serverfarm, despite public input being solicited and no final permits issued by the EPD.
VoltaGrid aims to develop a 90-megawatt plant to provide dedicated baseload power to the Serverfarm data center, acting as a "bridge solution" before Georgia Power can supply grid electricity. The projects are located within three miles of residential areas, a county drinking water reservoir, and a nature preserve.
Environmental groups, including Sustainable Newton, Altamaha Riverkeeper, and the Southern Environmental Law Center, submitted a letter to the EPD, urging immediate investigation and enforcement action against VoltaGrid and Serverfarm for alleged violations of Georgia law and the Clean Air Act. Maurice Carter, president of Sustainable Newton, highlighted that the incident underscores the need for robust regulations, especially as Covington and Newton County currently have data center moratoriums in effect. Opponents argue the companies are attempting to bypass regulatory review and public participation.