Construction Resumes on Newton County Power Plant Built to Support Data Center After $41,500 Fine
Voltgrid and Serverfarm resumed construction of a temporary power plant intended to supply a nearby data center in Newton County after regulators found they had begun work without the required air permit. The companies paid a combined $41,500 in penalties, prompting critics to question whether the fines are strong enough to deter future violations.
Construction has resumed on a temporary power plant near Hazelbrand Road in Newton County that is intended to provide power to a nearby data center. Regulators said Voltgrid and Serverfarm began constructing generators without the required air permit, although the companies said they misunderstood Georgia’s permitting rules and believed generator assembly was allowed before the equipment was connected to fuel or electricity.
The companies paid a combined $41,500 in penalties, despite Georgia rules allowing fines of up to $25,000 per day for such violations. Maurice Carter of Sustainable Newton said the new permit’s limits on the number and operating time of the generators could reduce potentially harmful emissions by about 20%, but argued that preventing engine operation would do more to protect Covington and Newton County residents than imposing fines. He urged lawmakers to reconsider the penalties, while a possible Georgia Public Service Commission investigation and public hearings remain in their early stages.