In Savannah, Georgia’s utility regulators faced public wrath over data centers
Georgia's Public Service Commission (PSC) held a rare meeting in Savannah, drawing public criticism over rising power bills and a proposed OpenAI data center in Effingham County. Residents expressed concerns about the data center's contract with Georgia Power and demanded greater transparency. PSC commissioners clarified their limited regulatory scope but acknowledged the need for more information from the utility.
The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) held a meeting in Savannah, a departure from its usual Atlanta location, at the urging of Commissioner Alicia Johnson to engage with constituents outside the metro area. The session quickly became a forum for public outcry over increasing power bills and the controversial OpenAI data center planned for Effingham County, located just outside Savannah.
Attendees, including Bill Wright of Pooler, criticized the PSC for approving Georgia Power's contract with OpenAI without sufficient transparency, calling on the commission to prioritize public interest over utility and corporate interests. Michael Hawthorne, an organizing strategist with the Sierra Club, questioned the PSC's role in setting reasonable electricity rates, drawing a resounding 'No' from the audience when asking if they felt prices were fair.
PSC commissioners clarified their authority extends only to the sale and making of electricity for data centers choosing Georgia Power, advising residents to address project-specific concerns with local officials. However, PSC Chair Jason Shaw acknowledged that Georgia Power needs to provide more unredacted information regarding its data center contracts. The meeting also highlighted the upcoming November elections for two PSC seats, with critics reminding commissioners of their accountability to the public. Commissioners Peter Hubbard and Johnson, both Democrats, expressed their limited ability to shift policy as a minority bloc.