Port Wentworth residents advocate for moratorium on Data Centers
Residents of Port Wentworth, Georgia, are petitioning the City Council for a 180-day moratorium on data center development. They express concerns over insufficient regulations regarding water usage, potential impacts on property values, and general oversight despite a recently approved city ordinance.
Residents in Port Wentworth, Georgia, are actively advocating for a temporary 180-day moratorium on data center development within the city. The petition, which has gathered over 200 signatures, urges city council members to pause all data center projects, seeking more robust oversight and protections for the community.
Patrick Donovan, a local real estate agent and member of the Port Wentworth Planning and Zoning Board, is leading the effort. He expressed significant concerns about the lack of specific restrictions surrounding data center development and operations, particularly regarding their substantial water consumption—potentially millions of gallons—and the impact on property values if located near residential areas. Donovan highlights that an ordinance defining and setting rules for data centers was recently approved by the City Council, but residents believe it doesn't go far enough in protecting their interests.
Donovan's primary objective is to ensure that comprehensive studies are conducted and that citizens are directly involved in discussions before any projects advance. He aims for the petition to reach 5,000 signatures to underscore the community's demand for a temporary halt and greater civic participation in the planning process.