South Georgia congressmen say data centers need guardrails before moving forward
Two Georgia congressmen, Sanford Bishop and Austin Scott, are calling for "guardrails" for data center development in Southwest Georgia. They emphasize the need for communities to receive clear answers and protections regarding water and power consumption before any new data center projects move forward. Concerns also touch upon national security implications.
Congressmen Sanford Bishop and Austin Scott are advocating for protective measures and clear information for communities in Southwest Georgia before any new data center projects are approved. They assert that while new investment from data centers is welcome, it brings significant questions about water usage, power demands, and national security implications.
The congressmen told WALB News 10's Ashanti Drake that local communities need transparent answers and safeguards concerning the environmental and infrastructural impact of these facilities. They highlighted that the public has a right to know about the water and power consumption of data centers, especially distinguishing between older, more water-intensive systems and newer, more efficient closed-loop cooling technologies. The discussion extends beyond just technology to whether local infrastructure can support such developments.