Effingham County Considers New Data Center Regulations
Effingham County, Georgia, is actively considering new regulations that would designate future data centers as conditional uses and strengthen requirements for large industrial projects. These proposed changes address concerns such as noise, lighting, water, power demand, and traffic, partly spurred by OpenAI's proposed Project Camellia. County staff aim to present the updated ordinances for official consideration by November.
Effingham County, Georgia, is developing new regulations for data centers, proposing to classify them as conditional uses and integrate specific conditions into existing ordinances. Planning Manager Akela Wright confirmed that staff are working on an approach to bolster requirements for noise, including low-frequency hums, lighting, buffering, and emergency backup generators, specifying their location, setbacks, and testing hours.
This regulatory review is partly driven by OpenAI's proposed $20 billion Project Camellia, a data center development planned for the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, which could eventually reach 3.2 gigawatts. County Manager Tim Callanan noted that many of these enhanced requirements would also apply to other large industrial projects. The proposed regulations also cover decommissioning, water and sewer demand, power demand, and require traffic studies for specific project characteristics.
Commissioners also discussed reforming the review process for larger commercial and industrial conditional uses, suggesting that such projects undergo Planning Board review before reaching the Board of Commissioners. Public input included resident opposition to data centers and calls for a moratorium on development, a sentiment echoed by Commissioner Beth Hemly. Staff intend to present the comprehensive proposed changes to the commission for consideration at their November meeting.