OpenAI Effingham County
No project stage is auto-generated. What follows is the
timeline of record — every entry dated, cited and linked to its source.
Timeline of record
- Sep 4NEWS·Effingham Co., GAData center developers are increasingly targeting rural southeast Georgia, attracted by regional infrastructure, cheaper land, and tax incentives. A Georgia Southern University official noted potential economic benefits but warned of environmental concerns including pollution, heat, energy consumption, and noise from cooling systems.WTOC · Effingham Co., GA · also at WTOC
- Sep 3LAWSUIT·GeorgiaGeorgia Public Broadcasting · Georgia
- Sep 3LAWSUIT·Effingham Co., GAA lawsuit filed by three Effingham County residents challenges the county commission's zoning approval for OpenAI's planned hyperscale data center, alleging officials skipped a required public hearing before allowing data centers on industrial-zoned land without conditions.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Sep 3LAWSUIT·Effingham Co., GAThree Effingham County residents filed a lawsuit challenging a zoning ordinance they allege violated Georgia law and county ordinances by being adopted without required public hearings, claiming the process enabled approval of a 1,400-acre data center project. The plaintiffs contend county commissioners weakened the Planning Board's authority and made zoning changes during closed meetings without public notification.The Georgia Virtue · Effingham Co., GA
- Sep 3NEWS·GeorgiaGeorgia taxpayers are projected to spend $2.4 billion this year in tax breaks subsidizing data center construction, according to a commentary. The author argues the subsidies are unnecessary given the AI industry's expected $2.5 trillion in global private investment and notes polling shows majorities of Americans and Georgia voters oppose data centers in their communities.Now Georgia · Georgia
- Sep 3NEWS·GeorgiaBookman: Secrecy and tax breaks pave the way for surge of unpopular data center proposals in GeorgiaGeorgia taxpayers will spend an estimated $2.4 billion in tax breaks this year to subsidize data center construction, according to an opinion piece criticizing the subsidies as unnecessary given strong private investment in artificial intelligence and public opposition to such facilities in communities.Georgia Recorder · Georgia · also at Cobb Courier
- Sep 3VOTE·Effingham Co., GAA Georgia Public Service Commissioner said Effingham County residents will not see higher electricity bills from OpenAI's proposed $20 billion data center, as OpenAI will cover all costs for the facility's power and grid upgrades under an agreement approved by state regulators.WJCL · Effingham Co., GA
- Sep 3NEWS·GeorgiaGeorgia ranks third nationally for planned data center development, driven by competition for artificial intelligence computing power that national security experts describe as critical geopolitical currency. A Georgia Southern University professor warns that rapid AI infrastructure expansion brings cybersecurity risks and resource sustainability concerns.WTOC · Georgia
- Sep 2MORATORIUM·GeorgiaDemocratic Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard says he secured an additional $7.50 in promised monthly bill rate reductions from Georgia Power as part of an OpenAI data center deal, while fellow Democratic candidate Sheila Edwards advocates for studying data center regulations statewide before implementation.Flagpole · Georgia
- Sep 1VOTE·Effingham Co., GAThe federal government has subpoenaed Georgia's Secretary of State's Office for 13 voter files as part of a Department of Homeland Security immigration investigation. A former Covington police officer has been arrested and charged with misusing Flock license plate readers for non-law enforcement purposes.Georgia Public Broadcasting · Effingham Co., GA
- Sep 1NEWS·Effingham Co., GAEffingham County's planned OpenAI data center will require 30,000 gallons of water daily for workplace uses, with an estimated 25 million gallons needed for initial cooling system fill. Indirect water consumption at power plants supplying electricity to the facility could reach 11 million to 22 million gallons daily, though experts question whether dry cooling technology will function effectively in the region's hot, humid climate.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Sep 1MORATORIUM·GeorgiaSen. Raphael Warnock announced support for a statewide data center moratorium in Georgia after visiting an OpenAI project site in Effingham County, while Gov. Brian Kemp prefers empowering local communities to decide on data center development. The disagreement reflects broader policy debates among Georgia politicians ahead of upcoming elections.Daily Signal · Georgia
- Sep 1MORATORIUM·Chatham Co., GASen. Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data center construction and a more transparent application process, citing concerns about corporate impact on residents after visiting a proposed OpenAI data center site in Savannah.Spectrum News · Chatham Co., GA
- Sep 1NEWS·Chatham Co., GAHeadline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA
- Aug 31NEWS·Effingham Co., GAThe Black Chronicle · Effingham Co., GA · also at The Center Square, The Center Square
- Aug 31MORATORIUM·Richmond Co., GAAugusta leaders have extended a pause on data center development to gather public input on a proposed ordinance that would require 500-foot buffers from residential areas, impose 65-decibel noise limits, mandate closed-loop cooling systems, and ban private wells. Public meetings are scheduled for Monday and Thursday, with online feedback also available.WRDW · Richmond Co., GA · also at wrdw.com
- Aug 31MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GASenator Reverend Raphael Warnock visited Effingham County to meet with residents concerned about OpenAI's proposed 3.2-gigawatt data center and called for a statewide moratorium on data center construction unless developers implement safeguards addressing utility bills, transparency, and pollution.AllOnGeorgia · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 31MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GASen. Warnock is calling for a Georgia moratorium on data center projects unless companies commit to environmental and economic protections including limits on noise, light, and water usage. Three Catholic families are suing the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program, claiming its rules violate religious freedom. About 200 Cobb County teachers who walked out of their superintendent's July back-to-school speech face potential sanctions.97.5 Glory FM · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 31MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI finalized a contract with Georgia Power for a 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County that promises typical residential customers at least $15 monthly in rate reductions between 2029-2031. The Georgia Public Service Commission received an extended review period after public and commissioner scrutiny prompted additional customer protections in the agreement.Columbus Ledger-Enquirer · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 31UTILITIES·GeorgiaGeorgia Power has agreed to shield typical customers from data center costs under a new deal with state regulators, including a promise to increase rate offsets to at least $15 monthly by 2029 if data centers close or depart the state. Environmental advocates support the agreement but seek greater contract transparency and changes to the regulatory review process.Savannah Business Journal · Georgia
- Aug 30VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power and OpenAI received approval for a 3.2-gigawatt data center campus in Effingham County, with OpenAI funding all necessary infrastructure costs and committing to demand-response flexibility. The project is projected to generate approximately $950 million in annual savings for residential customers beginning in 2029, while OpenAI pledges $80 million in community benefits.The South Shore Press · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 30ZONING·Effingham Co., GAApproximately 100 Effingham County residents attended a Saturday work session to press county commissioners about OpenAI's proposed Project Camellia data center, raising concerns about noise, water, utilities, emergency services and environmental impacts. Commissioners acknowledged transparency issues and discussed potential changes including possible moratoriums on future data centers and conditional-use requirements.Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 29NEWS·Effingham Co., GAAbout 70 people attended an Effingham County Commission workshop to air concerns about a proposed $20 billion OpenAI data center in Rincon, with commissioners agreeing to investigate issues including noise pollution, electromagnetic radiation, and battery fire hazards residents raised.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 29MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GASen. Raphael Warnock proposed a statewide data center moratorium while speaking at the site of a planned OpenAI facility in Effingham County, saying exemptions should only apply to projects meeting specific standards on utility rates, pollution and transparency.The Post-Searchlight · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 29MORATORIUMHeadline onlyWSAV-TV · also at Yahoo
- Aug 28NEWS·GeorgiaHeadline onlyAJC.com · Georgia
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GAU.S. Senator Raphael Warnock called Friday for a moratorium on data center construction in Georgia, citing concerns about secrecy surrounding a proposed $20 billion OpenAI facility in Effingham County and lack of federal regulation of the artificial intelligence industry. Warnock's proposal would allow construction to proceed if developers met specific guarantees including no increases to residents' water and electrical bills, prevention of pollution, and bans on nondisclosure agreements.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GASenator Raphael Warnock visited OpenAI's proposed 3.2-gigawatt data center site in Effingham County, Georgia and called for a statewide moratorium on data center construction. The moratorium would only be lifted for specific projects that meet safeguards regarding utility bills, transparency, and pollution.U.S. Senate (.gov) · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GAU.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock met with Effingham County residents Friday to discuss concerns about the proposed Camellia Data Center, calling for a moratorium on data center projects unless they guarantee no increases in water or electric bills for residents.WJCL · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GASen. Raphael Warnock called for a statewide moratorium on new data centers in Georgia after regulators approved OpenAI's 3.2 gigawatt facility in Effingham County, citing concerns about community exclusion from decisions and potential impacts including rate increases and pollution.CBS News · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GAU.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers following an OpenAI project announcement in Effingham County that has drawn opposition from local residents. State regulators recently approved a Georgia Power contract to supply 3,200 megawatts of electricity to the facility.WABE · Effingham Co., GA · also at Georgia Recorder, Griffin Daily News
- Aug 28VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power's contract with OpenAI for supplying 3,200 megawatts of electricity to a 1,400-acre Effingham County data center was approved by the Public Service Commission, while the final Development of Regional Impact report identifying environmental concerns and mitigation recommendations was released Wednesday.Statesboro Herald · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GASen. Raphael Warnock called for a moratorium on data centers during a visit to Effingham County, Georgia, stating that OpenAI's project proceeded without community input. Warnock outlined conditions for lifting the moratorium, including no increases to water or electric bills and no pollution from the development.WTOC · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GAU.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock visited the proposed site of OpenAI's $20 billion Project Camellia in Effingham County and called for a moratorium on data center development until residents have meaningful input and developers guarantee protections against utility rate increases, pollution, and non-transparent dealings. Warnock criticized the lack of public hearings before the project's announcement and said the 1,400-acre campus requiring 3.2 gigawatts of electricity should not proceed without community voice.Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power's power contract to serve OpenAI's $20 billion Effingham County data center has received Georgia Public Service Commission approval. The agreement includes about 3,200 megawatts of new electricity demand and protections for other customers if the large-load contract ends early; Georgia Power projects the contract will be part of a portfolio generating approximately $950 million in annual savings beginning in 2029.WJCL · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28NEWS·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power has received regulatory approval for an electricity supply agreement with OpenAI covering a planned project in Effingham County, Georgia, adding approximately 3,200 megawatts of new electricity demand. Under the agreement, OpenAI will cover infrastructure costs for its project and make up to 1,000 megawatts of its demand flexible, while Georgia Power projects approximately $950 million in annual customer savings beginning in 2029.cnhinews.com · Effingham Co., GA · also at TradingView
- Aug 28VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power's 25-year contract with OpenAI for a data-center campus in Effingham County was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission in August 2026 and projects approximately $950 million in annual residential savings beginning in 2029. Some PSC commissioners have raised concerns that broader system-wide grid costs may not be fully captured in the contract's confidential terms.Gadget Review · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 28MORATORIUM·Chatham Co., GASavannah City Council approved a 155-day moratorium on large-scale data centers Thursday, pausing new development within city limits while officials study impacts including noise, water usage and power grid demands. The temporary ban provides time to draft regulatory policy before year's end.WTOC · Chatham Co., GA
- Aug 28VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power's contract with OpenAI to build a 3.2 gigawatt data center in Effingham County was approved by Public Service Commission staff without a direct commission vote, prompting environmental groups to call for greater transparency and commissioner involvement in future contract decisions.CleanTechnica · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27UTILITIES·Chatham Co., GAGeorgia Power agreed to shield residential and small business customers from costs if data centers close or relocate, and increased promised rate offsets to $15 monthly by 2029. The utility also committed to releasing summaries of its OpenAI contract and future data center agreements, though critics say more transparency and public oversight are needed.WABE · Chatham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power's electricity contract with OpenAI for a 1,400-acre Effingham County data center was approved by state regulators, and a development impact report was released. The county board will next review the project's preliminary site plan, with commissioners expected to act on Sept. 14.Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAThe Georgia Public Service Commission approved a contract for Georgia Power to supply approximately 3,200 megawatts of power to OpenAI's Project Camellia data center in Effingham County, which will be built in phases from 2028 to 2032. The project is expected to generate $950 million in annual revenue, allowing Georgia Power to reduce residential customer bills by $180 annually starting in 2029.
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAThe Georgia Public Service Commission staff approved a contract between Georgia Power and OpenAI for electricity to power a 3.2 gigawatt data center in Effingham County. The agreement includes protections for residential and business ratepayers, preventing them from bearing costs if large-load customers terminate contracts early.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power received regulatory clearance to supply up to 3,200 megawatts of electricity to OpenAI's data center in Effingham County from 2028 through 2032. The utility projects residential customers could save approximately $180 annually beginning in 2029 from revenue generated by this and other large customers.CBS News · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAThe Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power's contract to supply energy for an OpenAI data center in Effingham County. Georgia Power says the project will be funded by OpenAI, include safeguards protecting customers from costs, and lower statewide rates by approximately $200 annually.WSAV-TV · Effingham Co., GA · also at WSAV-TV
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAThe Georgia Public Service Commission approved a contract between Georgia Power and OpenAI for a massive data center in Effingham County. The utility projects the deal will generate $950 million in annual revenue, resulting in $180 annual savings for residential customers beginning in 2029.WSB-TV · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Tech experts addressed community questions about AI data centers at an Aug. 26 session in Effingham County, covering electricity consumption, water usage, cooling systems and community concerns like noise and lighting related to the proposed $20 billion OpenAI campus project.Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Chatham Co., GAGeorgia Power's agreement with OpenAI to build a massive data center near Savannah has won Public Service Commission approval and is projected to save the average residential customer about $15 monthly starting in 2029, with the utility citing additional revenue from large customers offsetting costs.95.5 WSB · Chatham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power has received regulatory approval to build 3.2 gigawatts of new generation capacity to supply OpenAI's planned data center in Effingham County, with OpenAI covering infrastructure costs. Energy delivery is expected to begin between 2028 and 2032.Data Center Dynamics · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27NEWS·Effingham Co., GAHeadline onlySavannah Morning News · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAState regulators approved Georgia Power's contract to serve a 3,200-megawatt OpenAI project in Effingham County. The agreement is expected to generate $950 million in annual system savings beginning in 2029, with typical residential customers projected to save about $180 per year.WTOC · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27NEWS·Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 27ZONING·GeorgiaThe Georgia Chamber of Commerce is launching a messaging campaign to highlight jobs and tax revenue from data centers while countering concerns about their environmental and utility impacts. The effort comes as a University of Pennsylvania survey found 61% of Americans opposed new data center construction in their area.Statesboro Herald · Georgia
- Aug 27VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Public Service Commission staff has cleared Georgia Power's electricity contract for OpenAI's planned data center in Effingham County, determining the agreement shields residential customers and small businesses from related costs. The decision allows the contract to move forward as a key regulatory step for the $20 billion project.WJCL · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 26NEWS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI announced plans Wednesday to build a data center in Effingham County's Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub near Rincon, representing a $20 billion private capital investment expected to create 400 long-term jobs and increase the local tax base. Georgia Power will provide electric service, with OpenAI covering infrastructure costs and committing to demand response flexibility to support grid stability.WJBF · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 25VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia Power and OpenAI are expected to finalize a deal Wednesday to provide electricity for a 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County, pending Georgia Public Service Commission approval under a rule requiring 30-day advance notice of data center contracts exceeding 100 megawatts.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 24VOTE·Effingham Co., GAEffingham County officials promoted the proposed 1,400-acre data center project as potentially providing six mills of combined property tax relief beginning in 2026, with additional homestead tax elimination possible if voters approve a referendum in November.The Georgia Virtue · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 20VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia is expanding its power grid across Southeast Georgia, including natural gas plants and transmission lines, to support data center development like OpenAI's Project Camellia, which could consume enough electricity to power over 2 million homes. Environmental advocates and residents have raised concerns about air pollution, grid reliability, and ratepayer costs during public hearings on the proposed McIntosh power plant expansion.Statesboro Herald · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 20VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia is rapidly expanding its power grid to support a boom in data centers, including OpenAI's Project Camellia in Effingham County, which could require 3.2 gigawatts of power. The expansion involves natural gas plant upgrades and new transmission infrastructure, but residents and environmental advocates worry about air pollution, grid strain, and costs borne by ratepayers if projects don't materialize.Coastal Courier · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 20HEARING·Effingham Co., GATwo public meetings on Project Camellia, a proposed $20 billion data center campus in Rincon, are scheduled for Aug. 26 and 29 in Effingham County. The Aug. 26 information sessions hosted by the Chamber of Commerce will feature Georgia Tech faculty and local officials, while the Aug. 29 county board work session will address infrastructure concerns and community impacts.Bryan County News · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 19VOTE·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI's planned Effingham County data center requiring 3.2 gigawatts of power is spurring Georgia Power to expand the state's power grid, including adding a natural gas unit at the McIntosh Combined Cycle Facility and building 1,000 miles of new transmission lines. Environmental advocates and residents raised concerns at public hearings about air quality, costs to ratepayers, and grid reliability impacts.Bryan County News · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 19NEWS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI plans to build a $20 billion data center campus called Project Camellia in Georgia's Effingham County, requiring 3.2 gigawatts of power from 2028 through 2032, prompting environmental groups to seek stronger protections for electricity customers and greater transparency on power contracts.CarbonCredits.com · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 17UTILITIES·Chatham Co., GAOpenAI's planned 3.2-gigawatt data center near Savannah could require significant new power infrastructure, raising questions about whether costs will be fairly distributed among residential customers or shift to existing ratepayers through higher electric bills.Southern Alliance for Clean Energy · Chatham Co., GA
- Aug 17VOTE·GeorgiaGeorgia Power received permission in 2025 to substantially expand electricity production to meet growing data center demand across the state. However, experts estimate data centers may require between 29 and 58 gigawatts of power, while Georgia Power has already pledged 1 gigawatt more than it has been approved to provide.dailysignal.com · Georgia
- Aug 14VOTE·Fulton Co., GAGeorgia Power has agreed to extend the regulatory review period for a contract to supply over 3 gigawatts of power to an OpenAI data center in Effingham County, giving state Public Service Commission staff an additional 12 days to assess consumer protections and financial safeguards.Georgia Public Broadcasting · Fulton Co., GA
- Aug 14MORATORIUM·Fulton Co., GAThe Atlanta City Council will consider establishing a 23-member task force to examine data center regulation, including impacts on electricity, water, noise and taxes. The task force would conduct public meetings and submit recommendations within 180 days.
- Aug 14VOTE·GeorgiaGeorgia Power extended the review deadline for a proposed contract with data center operator OpenAI from August 14 to August 26, allowing staff additional time to evaluate terms. The contract covers a $20 billion Effingham County data center that will receive 3.2 gigawatts of power from Georgia Power between 2028 and 2032.WABE · Georgia
- Aug 14VOTE·GeorgiaGeorgia Power extended the deadline for the Public Service Commission to review its contract with OpenAI from Aug. 14 to Aug. 26, allowing staff additional time to consider terms. The contract covers provision of 3.2 gigawatts of energy to OpenAI's $20 billion Effingham County data center campus.thecurrentga.org · Georgia
- Aug 13VOTE·Effingham Co., GAA public hearing Friday will address Georgia Power's proposed expansion of Plant McIntosh in Rincon to add natural gas generation capacity, driven partly by data center development in Effingham County including OpenAI's Project Camellia, which would require 3.2 gigawatts of power.effinghamherald.net · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 12NEWS·Effingham Co., GAHeadline onlySavannah Morning News · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 12MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia is facing growing opposition to rapid data center expansion, with communities citing concerns over water consumption, power demand, noise, and loss of green space. Multiple municipalities have implemented or proposed moratoriums and stricter regulations, while residents have challenged specific projects over environmental and cultural preservation issues.Yahoo · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 10UTILITIES·GeorgiaMore than 80 proposed data centers in Georgia have created uncertainty about the state's power capacity, with only about 25 disclosing their power needs and roughly half their square footage, according to Science for Georgia. Multiple police officers across the state face charges for misusing Flock camera systems, with three deputies in Bibb County charged with stalking and oath violations.Georgia Public Broadcasting · Georgia
- Aug 10UTILITIES·GeorgiaThe nonprofit Science for Georgia found that proposed data centers in the state could require between 29 and 58 gigawatts of electricity, potentially exceeding Georgia's supply even after Georgia Power's planned expansion. The discrepancy stems from incomplete disclosure, with only 25 of roughly 81 proposed data centers publicly stating their power needs.Georgia Public Broadcasting · Georgia
- Aug 8VOTE·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI signed a $20 billion deal with Effingham County's development authority to build a data center on 1,400 acres near Rincon, with the project expected to generate approximately $870 million in tax revenue over 15 years. The secretive negotiations, brokered by Georgia Power, concluded nine months after initial contact, though county officials had previously told residents they weren't actively seeking such a project.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Aug 6ZONING·GeorgiaRecent U.S. data center announcements emphasize power arrangements, community agreements and long-term customer contracts alongside massive scale, signaling that developers must demonstrate commercial and electrical credibility beyond land acquisition alone. Projects announced since early June by OpenAI, Microsoft, Amazon and others span multiple regions and combine guaranteed power supplies, infrastructure financing commitments and community benefit packages.Data Center Frontier · Georgia
- Aug 4VOTE·Effingham Co., GAGeorgia's Public Service Commission is reviewing a contract between OpenAI and Georgia Power for electricity delivery to a proposed $20 billion data center in Effingham County. The utility will provide 3.2 gigawatts of power beginning in 2028, with regulators examining protections for ratepayers and contract enforcement mechanisms.WABE · Effingham Co., GA · also at thecurrentga.org
- Aug 3NEWS·Chatham Co., GAHeadline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA
- Aug 2ZONING·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI's $20 billion data center campus in Effingham County, Georgia was kept confidential through nondisclosure agreements with county officials until its July 22 announcement, according to a review of public records and interviews. The 1,400-acre project will require 3.2 gigawatts of power and employ at least 400 workers at an average wage of $80,000, with construction planned to begin in early 2027.AJC.com · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 31NEWS·Effingham Co., GAMore than 500 people attended an OpenAI open house in Rincon, Georgia on July 23, while hundreds protested outside against the company's proposed 1,400-acre, $20 billion artificial intelligence data center. Residents raised concerns about water consumption, noise, and the project's size, with some questioning the lack of advance notice, while supporters said the development could bring economic benefits to the area.Yahoo · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 28MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GANearly 1,000 Effingham County residents attended a meeting where OpenAI and county officials presented a planned $20 billion data center project that critics say was finalized without public input. Residents raised concerns about environmental impacts, power consumption, and the secrecy of the decision-making process.Yahoo · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 27MORATORIUM·GeorgiaAn industry organization representing data centers has launched a public relations campaign in Georgia, including a website and YouTube channel, while the state Chamber of Commerce established an alliance to support data center expansion. The efforts come as lawmakers debate regulations and community opposition to data center projects intensifies across the state.thecurrentga.org · Georgia
- Jul 27MORATORIUM·Effingham Co., GASenator Reverend Warnock is urging the EPA to issue guidance protecting Georgia communities' water supplies as data center expansion accelerates. Georgia hosts 230 data center facilities, and OpenAI's planned $20 billion facility in Effingham County would require significant power and water resources.TheCitizen.com · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 27MORATORIUM·GeorgiaA pro-data center industry group established a Georgia presence in June, launching a website and YouTube channel featuring promotional content as public opposition to data center construction grows statewide. The effort comes amid failed legislative attempts to regulate or restrict the facilities and high-profile protests against projects including a proposed $20 billion OpenAI facility in Effingham County.Georgia Recorder · Georgia · also at WaltonTribune.com, Griffin Daily News
- Jul 26NEWS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI is investing $20 billion to build a data center campus in Effingham County near Savannah, which will create 400 jobs. The company will cover energy costs, limit water use, and provide $151 million in community benefits including local investments and college student credits.Spectrum News · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 25NEWS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI's proposed $20 billion data center in Effingham County must undergo Georgia's state evaluation process for large-scale developments before construction can begin on the 1,400-acre facility planned for 2028, with a formal DRI form submitted Wednesday containing blank spaces on water usage and environmental impacts.thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 24UTILITIES·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI announced Project Camellia, a data center campus planned for Effingham County, Georgia, that will require 3.2 gigawatts of power delivered between 2028 and 2032. The company committed to $80 million in community benefits, hundreds of millions in tax revenue, and pledged electricity rates will not increase for residents.the Electrical Distributor magazine · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 24ZONING·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI secured a 25-year power contract with Georgia Power for 3.2 gigawatts to support a $20 billion data center campus in Effingham County, Georgia. The secretive deal sparked community backlash, with nearly 1,000 residents attending a contentious meeting to voice concerns about noise, traffic, and environmental impact.Tech Times · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 24NEWS·Effingham Co., GAHeadline onlySavannah Morning News · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 23NEWS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI held a public open house in Effingham County following its announcement of a $20 billion data center campus called "Project Camellia," expected to create at least 400 long-term jobs. The company pledged to establish a "Georgia Community Compact" with annual independent audits, though it did not confirm who would conduct the audits.WTOC · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 23NEWS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI will invest $20 billion in Project Camellia, a data center in Effingham County, Georgia, requiring 3.2 gigawatts of power delivered in phases from 2028 to 2032. The project marks OpenAI's first instance of acting as lead designer and developer rather than leasing compute capacity from cloud providers.ConstructConnect News · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 23VOTE·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI announced plans to build a massive AI data center in Effingham County, Georgia, which will receive up to 3.2 gigawatts of electricity by 2032 and create thousands of jobs while generating hundreds of millions in tax revenue. The company will fully fund infrastructure costs, commit to reducing electricity use during peak demand periods, and provide $80 million in community benefits.CBS News · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 23PERMIT·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI announced plans to build a 3.2 GW data center campus called Project Camellia in Effingham County, Georgia, comprising four buildings across 1,400 acres with phased opening beginning in 2028. The company has contracted with Georgia Power Company for power delivery between 2028 and 2032 under a 25-year agreement and estimates the project will cost over $30 billion at full build out.W.Media · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 23PERMIT·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI announced plans to build a 3.2-gigawatt AI data center called Project Camellia in Effingham County, Georgia, with initial operations targeted for 2028 and full buildout by 2032. The project involves a $20 billion capital investment, will initially employ 400 people expanding to over 1,000, and requires Georgia Public Service Commission approval for its power agreement with Georgia Power.XenoSpectrum · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 23DEALS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI plans to build a $30 billion AI data center in Effingham County, Georgia near Savannah, with operations expected to begin in 2028 and expand to 1,000 employees by 2032. The company has secured 3.2 gigawatts of power from Georgia Power and will receive a 50% property-tax abatement for 15 years, while contributing $80 million for local community services.Gotrade · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 22NEWS·Effingham Co., GAHeadline onlyAJC.com · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 22NEWS·GeorgiaOpenAI is investing more than $30 billion in a data center campus in coastal Georgia that will provide up to 3.2 gigawatts of computing capacity over the next decade. The first several hundred megawatts should become available in 2028, with construction expected to continue through 2032.Interesting Engineering · Georgia
- Jul 22NEWS·Effingham Co., GAHeadline onlyWSPA 7NEWS · Effingham Co., GA
- Jul 22NEWS·Effingham Co., GAOpenAI plans to build a $20 billion data center campus in Effingham County's Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, expected to create 400 permanent jobs and potentially help fund the county's effort to eliminate homestead property taxes.WJCL · Effingham Co., GA