Groups alert Georgia regulators to unpermitted construction of pop-up power plant, data center
Environmental groups and local communities have alerted the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to unpermitted construction by VoltaGrid and Serverfarm for a pop-up power plant and an adjacent data center in Covington, GA. The companies installed over 40 methane gas and diesel-fired engines without required environmental approvals. The groups are urging the EPD to investigate, stop construction, and assess penalties.
Local communities and environmental organizations, including Sustainable Newton, Altamaha Riverkeeper, and the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), have formally notified the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) about unpermitted construction activities by VoltaGrid and Serverfarm in Covington, Georgia. The companies are developing a 90-megawatt pop-up power plant and an adjacent data center, respectively, and have reportedly installed more than 40 methane gas and diesel-fired engines without obtaining necessary air permits.
The unpermitted construction came to light after a neighbor observed and photographed the ongoing work, prompting the groups to submit a letter to the EPD. Aerial photos indicate that VoltaGrid has constructed at least eight of its proposed 33 methane gas-fired engines, while Serverfarm has constructed 36 of its 37 proposed diesel-fired emergency generators. These projects are located near residential areas, a county drinking water reservoir, and a nature preserve, drawing significant local opposition.
Despite having applied for air permits, the EPD had not issued final approvals, which is required under Georgia’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) for new sources of air pollution before construction begins. Public comments on the permit applications had raised concerns about compliance with federal and state air regulations. The environmental groups are urging the EPD to immediately halt all illegal construction and impose appropriate penalties for violations of Georgia law and the Clean Air Act, citing the companies' disregard for the permitting process and potential risks to community health from pollutants like formaldehyde.
Maurice Carter, President of Sustainable Newton, emphasized the community's demand for transparency and accountability, while SELC Senior Attorney Patrick Anderson stated that the companies' actions undermine both legal frameworks and public participation processes designed to protect local residents.