Columbia County residents voice concerns about proposed data centers

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Columbia County residents packed the Eubank Blanchard Community Center Monday night to discuss concerns about proposed data centers coming to their area.

The standing-room-only meeting came as one data center has been approved a few miles away, and two more are set for the next planning commission agenda.

Data centers are also appearing around Georgia, especially in the CSRA.

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Late last year, three possible new data centers were announced. One in Richmond County shows early-stage demolition in progress.

Two possible facilities are planned for Columbia County as White Oak Technology Park gets closer to becoming a reality.

Environmental concerns raised

Residents expressed environmental concerns about the proposed developments.

Savannah Riverkeeper Tonya Bonitatibus said the size of developments could cause stormwater issues.

“Unless there is significant effort in stormwater and making sure that it stays on site, we’re going to have some really big problems with flooding in the future.” Savannah River Keeper Tanya Bonitatibus

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She also said generators that could be used to power the centers and equipment could cause problems.

“You’re allowed to run generators to provide that electricity, and we’re talking about hundreds of generators to run these planned facilities,” said Bonitatibus.

Vin Muller has been attending Columbia County Commission meetings for months and is calling for other citizens to join in.

“The understanding that the county is theirs, it doesn’t belong to the commissioners, and they need to go to the meetings. They need to talk to the commissioners, let their voices be heard,” said Mueller.

New zoning rules in place

After Columbia County passed a data center zoning district, stricter rules are now in place that these centers would have to follow.

Muller said these are a start, but citizens will be showing up to future meetings to keep asking questions.

“It could be stronger, but it’s a start. It provides protection for noise, for water use, sound, lighting, and those are good things,” he said.

The Columbia County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the data centers at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Evans Government Center Building A auditorium on Ronald Reagan Drive.