Sen. Raphael Warnock calls for data center moratorium for all of Georgia
Sen. Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data center construction in Georgia and a more transparent application process. This call follows his visit to a proposed OpenAI data center site in Savannah, prompting concerns about the impact on local residents.
Sen. Raphael Warnock has publicly advocated for a statewide moratorium on data center construction across Georgia, alongside a demand for increased transparency in the application process for such projects.
The senator's call for action was prompted by a recent visit to a proposed data center site in Savannah, Georgia, where OpenAI is slated to partner with Georgia Power on a facility projected for 2028. Following his visit last Friday, Sen. Warnock expressed concerns that the current process allows "major corporations" to "run roughshod on everyday working people."
In response, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority informed Spectrum News that OpenAI and Georgia Power are committed to covering all utility and infrastructure costs associated with the project, ensuring no financial burden is passed on to residents. The Authority also emphasized that the center's design incorporates safeguards against pollution and noise. Spectrum News has sought comments from OpenAI, Georgia Power, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the matter.