Data centers, power bills become Ga. election flashpoint
Data center growth and soaring power bills have become a major point of contention in Georgia's gubernatorial race. Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms is advocating for an immediate statewide freeze on data center development, citing concerns about consumer impact and grid strain. Republican Rick Jackson, while rejecting an outright freeze, proposes strict local approval hurdles and environmental standards for new data centers.
The rapid growth of data centers and their significant power and water demands have emerged as a central issue in Georgia's gubernatorial election, sparking a clash between Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson.
Speaking in the vicinity of Cobb County, which has previously halted data center projects, Keisha Lance Bottoms called for an immediate statewide freeze on new data center development. She expressed concern over the potential impact on consumers and the state's power grid, drawing parallels to a controversial project in rural Texas that her campaign linked to Republican opponent Rick Jackson's private investments. Bottoms criticized Jackson for profiting from data centers while advocating for a pause on further development.
Jackson's campaign swiftly countered, labeling Bottoms a hypocrite for supporting bond deals and tax breaks for a Midtown Atlanta facility during her tenure as mayor. Bottoms' campaign defended the past deal, stating it occurred before the current strain on the power grid. Jackson, while opposing a complete freeze, proposed his own set of stringent local requirements for data center approval, including local community support, tangible local benefits, no increase in utility costs, and adherence to strict environmental standards.
The political debate intensified as Jackson's team demanded Bottoms disclose her consulting firm's client list and Bottoms, in turn, challenged Jackson to reveal his investments. With early voting commencing on October 13th, both candidates are actively campaigning to sway undecided voters in Georgia.