Walker County starts writing its own rules as data centers spread across Georgia
Walker County, Georgia, has enacted a moratorium on new data centers and formed a committee to draft specific regulations. The committee is examining issues such as power, water usage, noise pollution, tax incentives, and buffer zones to mitigate potential community impacts. This effort aims to establish rules before the temporary pause on data center development concludes.
Walker County, Georgia, has implemented a temporary moratorium on new data center applications, effective since July. This action follows expressions of interest from developers, though no formal applications were submitted, and an existing CleanSpark data center operates near the county line. In response to community concerns, county leaders established a Data Center Development Standards Study Committee to formulate specific regulations to govern future data center development.
The committee, comprising various district appointees and observed by over 40 residents, is currently addressing a range of issues including data center power consumption, water usage, noise, and tax abatements. Commission Chairwoman Angie Teems indicated that the moratorium allows the county to study environmental impacts and infrastructure demands, anticipating changes to zoning rules. Planning and Zoning Director Jon Pursley noted that while an outright ban is not legally feasible, the county aims to develop ordinances to ensure data centers benefit the community rather than creating nuisances.
Key discussions have focused on the enormous electricity demands, with references to a 140-megawatt development in neighboring Dalton, and the Tennessee Valley Authority's revised wholesale rate structure for major power users. Water concerns include mandating closed-loop cooling systems and implementing higher utility rates for data centers to fund infrastructure. Additionally, the committee is considering increasing setback requirements from 50 feet to 200 feet, including greenspace, and continuous sound monitoring to mitigate noise and light pollution.
Further debate centers on financial incentives, with several committee members, including Travis Middleton and Barney Danks, opposing long-term tax breaks due to potential impacts on local schools and infrastructure costs. Proposals also include requiring Community Benefit Agreements and decommissioning bonds. The committee, which has identified Floyd County's data center ordinance as a model, will continue meeting to gather information and examples before finalizing recommendations for Walker County's new regulatory framework.