Georgia's data center boom sparks public concern over costs

A recent town hall in Savannah, hosted by Savannah Indivisible at the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Center, revealed significant public concern regarding the economic, environmental, and health impacts of Georgia's burgeoning data center industry. Public Service Commissioner Peter Hubbard noted a concerning lack of transparency, stating that the locations of new data centers often remain unknown until construction commences, limiting opportunities for public input. Panelists and over 100 attendees discussed strategies for public opposition, highlighting issues such as the substantial water consumption (1-5 million gallons daily per facility), noise pollution audible up to two miles away, and the risk of electrical fires. PSC District 5 Candidates Sheila Edwards, Craig Cupid, and Angelia Pressley echoed the public's sentiment, emphasizing the need for collective action to ensure responsible development and address potential health crises. Chatham County District 6 Commissioner Aaron Whitely urged citizens to assist his office in researching the issue, while Savannah Mayor Van Johnson definitively stated there would be no data centers in Savannah. Last December, the Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved Georgia Power's 10 gigawatt (GW) energy grid expansion, with approximately 90% of this new capacity allocated to large-load data centers. Commissioner Hubbard, who, along with Commissioner Alicia Johnson, voted to reconsider this decision, expressed doubts that the true costs to ratepayers are being fully accounted for. He emphasized the challenge of securing a third commissioner to sway the five-seat agency's decisions. While Port Wentworth City Council has already incorporated data centers into its industrial zoning language, no specific data center contracts evaluated by the PSC have been rejected thus far. Hubbard suggested immediate actions like onboarding large-load customers onto the existing grid and developing renewable energy sources like solar to manage the growth.