Georgia emerges as a battleground over AI data centers
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The rapid buildout of AI data centers in Georgia is colliding with voter concerns about affordability.
Why it matters: Tech companies are flocking to Georgia for AI energy demands, and people across the political spectrum are pushing back.
- In a state where key midterm elections could rebalance power statewide and nationally, candidates are laser-focused on getting the messaging and policy solutions right.
Zoom in: Democratic state Rep. Ruwa Romman's HB 1012 would place a temporary moratorium on new data center construction in Georgia.
- The goal is to give officials time to study water usage, energy consumption and the real revenue and economic impacts instead of just projections, said Romman, who is running for governor.
- Romman added that data would then inform regulation.
Romman echoes Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), though Romman said she was already looking into the idea of a moratorium when she heard the progressive standard-bearer had a similar solution in mind.
- "I'm actually working on an email to shoot his chief of staff to let him know that we're working on this," said Romman, contending that "any policy that happens at the federal level gets implemented first at the state level."
- Other Democrats are sounding more like Republicans and promising voters that data center-related costs will be paid by Big Tech.
- The two ideas are not at odds, according to Romman, who noted that in order for Big Tech to pay, policymakers first need to understand how much it actually costs.
The intrigue: Last year, Georgia Democrats flipped two seats on the Public Service Commission for the party's first wins in a non-federal statewide election in nearly 20 years, winning both races by more than 25 points as data center construction and rising utility rates were central to mobilizing voters.
- "This continues to be the one issue that has shown up everywhere around the state. It doesn't matter if it's a blue area or red area. It doesn't matter if somebody votes in a specific way. Historically, this is a massive concern for Georgians," Romman said.
- In Georgia, data center opposition didn't start on the left but in rural areas, Romman said: "It was just straight-up typical nimby-ism coupled with, 'Hey, I don't want to lose that river.'"
Friction point: One of the biggest data centers currently planned in Georgia is being built on land owned by the father of Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is also running for governor.
What we're watching: Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who is in a competitive race this year, hasn't veered into this issue — yet.
