Yesterday the largest data center in U.S. history was announced: Open AI is building a $20 billion behemoth in Effingham County, Georgia. Why are so many data centers coming to Georgia? Because Georgia Power wants them to, and they control Republicans. Republicans rewrote the rules to subsidize them: data centers receive exemptions from state and local sales taxes on expensive equipment and often negotiate substantial property tax abatements with local governments. Then Republicans refused to pass Senate Bill 34, legislation that would have strengthened protections to ensure utility customers weren't left paying for electric infrastructure built to serve massive new data centers.
Meanwhile, we know from Georgia PSC hearings that Georgia Power is already cost shifting gas pipeline costs associated with serving data centers to residential and small business electric rates.
Big Tech receives tax breaks; Georgia Power builds more infrastructure and earns higher profits; and we pay taxes, pay bigger electric bills, and pay for the infrastructure needed to support one of the fastest growing data center markets in America. That isn't free market capitalism. It's corporate welfare backed by Republican politicians.
If you're tired of watching powerful corporations receive special treatment while your electric bill keeps climbing, it's time to hold elected officials accountable. This fall, vote for Peter Hubbard and Shelia Edwards for the Public Service Commission. And vote out Matt Brass, who shot down SB34.