‘We have a right to know’: Effingham County town hall heats up over OpenAI data center
Effingham County residents held a town hall to discuss Project Camellia, a proposed $20 billion OpenAI data center campus near Rincon. Concerns were raised about the project's massive electricity and water demands. Georgia Public Service Commissioners attended and encouraged residents to engage with elected officials and the PSC's review process.
Effingham County residents gathered at the Mars Theatre for a town hall meeting to discuss Project Camellia, a proposed $20 billion OpenAI data center campus slated for the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub near Rincon. The event, organized by Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund and One Hundred Miles, highlighted concerns regarding the project's potential impact on electricity rates, the regional power grid, and local water resources.
OpenAI is developing the project in partnership with Georgia Power, with plans for four data center buildings spanning approximately 1,400 acres. The facility is projected to create up to 1,000 permanent jobs and generate substantial tax revenue for the county. However, the proposed electricity consumption of up to 3.2 gigawatts, comparable to the needs of over 2 million homes, has placed the contract under review by the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Georgia Public Service Commissioners Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard attended the town hall, acknowledging residents' deep concerns about projects implemented without sufficient community input. Commissioner Hubbard emphasized that the project's future is not finalized and encouraged residents to demand benefits and proper community investment from the developers. Attendees were advised to contact advocacy groups, elected officials, and participate in Effingham County Commission meetings to voice their opinions and influence the Public Service Commission's review process.