Effingham County delays vote on OpenAI data center site plan

The Effingham County Board of Commissioners delayed a vote on OpenAI's Project Camellia site plan after commissioners sought clearer commitments on noise controls and safety, according to the Effingham Herald. Commissioner Roger Burdette requested the delay because the preliminary plan did not include a written commitment for a 20 foot dirt berm along Hodgeville Road near residential neighborhoods.

The proposed campus at the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub covers about 1,347 acres. Plans include six data center buildings, a warehouse, an operations building, two electrical substations, cooling equipment, electrical yards and about 1,600 parking spaces.

Commissioners also questioned water and sewer service, wetland impacts and generator use. A project representative said generators would support life safety and security systems, rather than the data center buildings, and after a recess said he could promise the 20 foot berm, which did not change Burdette's motion. Commissioner Beth Helmly said the board will discuss a data center moratorium at its next meeting. OpenAI announced the $20 billion Effingham County campus in July.