From Georgia to Essex, datacenters test public goodwill

"Frenzied demand for AI development is driving a wave of datacenter construction, however, new projects are facing growing public opposition over concerns about their impact on local communities and the environment. Controversy has erupted in Coweta County, Georgia, after climate advocacy group DeSmog alleged that county officials held private meetings with lobbyists representing the developer of a proposed datacenter project."

"Residents expressed opposition to "Project Sail," a $17 billion facility that would occupy approximately 831 acres of rural land, while lobbyists supporting the project were accused of attempting to weaken regulatory provisions, including those related to environmental impact assessments. DeSmog now says that both real estate biz Prologis, the developer behind Project Sail, and the owner of the land, Atlas Development, are seeking to influence Coweta County officials via in-person meetings and email correspondence."

"It claims community representatives were not afforded the same level of access, and were told they could not speak to county officials by phone, but must instead communicate via group email. Hundreds of residents mobilized to oppose the project in a bid to conserve the area's rural character, while more than 3,900 people are registered on a "STOP Project Sail" Facebook page. Coweta County is understood to be considering its draft datacenter ordinance on December 16, with a final vote possible."

Frenzied demand for AI development is driving a wave of datacenter construction, while new projects face growing public opposition over impacts on local communities and the environment. In Coweta County, Georgia, controversy emerged after DeSmog alleged private meetings between county officials and lobbyists representing a proposed $17 billion, 831-acre Project Sail datacenter. Residents organized, citing rural character and environmental concerns, while developers Prologis and landowner Atlas Development pursued meetings and email outreach to officials. County procedures reportedly limited direct community access, prompting a moratorium on approvals and stakeholder input on planning regulations. Broader grassroots resistance has delayed or blocked billions in U.S. datacenter projects.

Read at Theregister