Data centers in Effingham County, Georgia

Shelia Edwards said both the state and local governments have offered too many incentives to data center companies, causing development to move too quickly

Joshua Tolbert criticized the lack of transparency with Effingham County's OpenAI announcement

Shelia Edwards called for greater transparency around large load contracts and criticized the state for a lack of regulations for data center water usage, noise pollution and ratepayer protections

County Manager Tim Callanan said staff plans to strengthen noise, lighting, buffering and other industrial regulations while adding requirements specifically for data centers

Georgia PSC Chairman Jason Shaw said the commission has dealt with large load data center contracts for about three years

Keisha Lance Bottoms proposes moratorium on new data center projects in Georgia to allow state to study potential impacts

Jaha Howard, pediatric dentist, expresses concern that AI data centers displace workers and questions their purpose

The power agreement requires OpenAI to pay a minimum power bill regardless of actual electricity use

OpenAI will cover the entire cost of grid upgrades needed to serve the data center

Georgia Power cannot seek fuel recovery, infrastructure recovery or other cost recovery from Georgia customers for the data center project

OpenAI representatives have met with local leaders and residents to determine how community investment can serve the area

ECIDA attorney Chris Murphy said intergovernmental agreement established responsibilities for each entity and provided legal basis for financial contributions

Resident Raymond Carver said residents felt pushed out of having voice in the situation

OpenAI will pay the school district based on the 18.018 mill rate rather than the 16.45 mill rate for 15 years

Board member Trisha Boyett said revised fixed rate structure would produce greater tax payments over life of agreement than using lower millage rates

County residents expressed concerns about power outages during hurricanes potentially worsening when data center power is prioritized over residential customers

County Manager Tim Callanan stated the project will proceed if it meets all federal, state and local ordinances and law

Commissioner Roger Burdette admitted the lack of transparency in the project announcement was a mistake and said he was wrong not to inform the community sooner

Warnock said the deal was worked out in the dark, under the cover of night

Raphael Warnock called for a moratorium on similar data center projects in Georgia unless big tech companies and developers can promise specific economic and environmental protections

If data center terminates contract early, PSC would decide whether Georgia Power could recover costs and who pays

Georgia Power CEO Kim Greene said growth is not pushing electric rates up in Georgia

Warnock criticizes lack of transparency by Effingham County leaders in data center project approval

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock calls for state moratorium on data center construction

Senator Raphael Warnock held news conference opposing planned data center in Effingham County, Georgia

Savannah Riverkeeper raised concerns about periodic closed loop drainage with chemical additives, water for power generation, and stormwater drainage and runoff

OpenAI stated dirty fluids will be properly and lawfully disposed of off site at drainage time and will never be discharged into local environment

OpenAI stated closed loop cooling after initial fill would have ongoing water needs comparable to a typical office building for restrooms, kitchens, cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance

Experts dispute OpenAI's minimal water use claims

OpenAI claims water use for the data center will be minimal

Effingham County commissioners clarified they signed no NDAs and have no agreements with OpenAI

Effingham County resident Mike Melton expressed surprise at OpenAI choosing the Savannah area for data center development

County Manager Tim Callanan said negotiations began under non disclosure agreements in early February 2026

Herndon said about 75 percent of companies the ECIDA works with require nondisclosure agreements during site selection

No rezoning was required because data center is a permitted use in industrial zoning

ECIDA signed nondisclosure agreement with OpenAI prohibiting public discussion of project before announcement

Effingham County Commissioner Phil Kieffer said 'No groundwater will ever go to this project. It will be supplied by surface water... It will be coming from the Savannah River.'

Aaron McLear, OpenAI's vice president of communications, said 'We're using minimal water, circulating the water throughout the building so that's not as much of a concern'

County Manager Tim Callanan stated company will pay for delegation of local officials to visit OpenAI data center in Abilene, Texas

OpenAI expected to become the largest taxpayer in Effingham County history

The Industrial Development Authority approved what was announced as a 50 percent property tax abatement for 15 years

Effingham County manager details OpenAI data center process

Project could reduce county homestead property taxes by 40 percent

Georgia Power says OpenAI will pay full infrastructure and electric service costs to serve the facility

OpenAI has not finalized how much water the campus will use or where it will come from

OpenAI's property tax abatement was announced as 50 percent for 15 years; county records obtained by WTOC show a 37.5 percent reduction

OpenAI will pay the full infrastructure and electric service costs to serve its facility

Aaron Mitchell, senior vice president of Strategic Growth for Georgia Power, praised OpenAI's leadership and commitment to responsible operation