Georgia PSC comes to Savannah, faces ire over data centers
Coastal Georgia residents expressed frustration at a Georgia Public Service Commission meeting in Savannah over a planned OpenAI data center in Effingham County. Residents criticized the lack of transparency in the fully redacted utility contract between Georgia Power and OpenAI, which the PSC approved. While Georgia Power stated the data center would lower residential rates by 2029, residents remained concerned about potential local impacts.
Coastal Georgia residents voiced strong opposition at a Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) meeting in Savannah against a proposed $20 billion OpenAI data center planned for Effingham County. The meeting, originally scheduled for administrative purposes, became a forum for public outcry regarding the data center's impact and the PSC's approval of a utility contract between Georgia Power and OpenAI.
Residents, including Pooler's Bill Wright, criticized the PSC's approval of the utility agreement, highlighting the lack of transparency due to the contract being fully redacted. This agreement, reviewed by the PSC because it involved a data center exceeding 100 megawatts, stipulates OpenAI will cover upfront costs for utility upgrades for its projected 3.2-megawatt demand. PSC Director of Utilities Tom Bond and Commissioner Alicia Johnson stated that the review process secured protections for residents, including minimum payments and termination costs if energy usage projections are not met.
Georgia Power spokesperson Joshua Peacock defended the redaction, citing proprietary business information for both the utility and OpenAI, and argued that releasing such details could harm future negotiations for ratepayers. Georgia Power's counsel Brandon Marzo added that attracting large-load users like data centers allows the company to put "downward pressure" on residential rates, pledging $15 a month in savings per customer starting in 2029.
However, residents like Raymond Carver, living within 1,000 yards of the proposed site in Effingham County, expressed concerns that potential health and environmental issues from the data center far outweigh the promised utility cost savings.