In Savannah, Georgia’s utility regulators faced public wrath over data centers

Georgia's Public Service Commission, which sets electricity rates and oversight for Georgia Power, held a rare meeting outside Atlanta this week, traveling to Savannah at the urging of commissioner Alicia Johnson. The move let coastal residents speak up about a large OpenAI data center planned for nearby Effingham County. Many at the meeting pressed for more transparency about Georgia Power's contract with OpenAI, which is the largest deal for a single customer since the utility started reporting such contracts in 2024. Commissioners said their authority only applies if a data center signs up with Georgia Power, and pointed residents toward local elected officials for other concerns.

Commenters also aired frustration over electricity bills, with one Sierra Club organizer asking the room if anyone thought their power was "reasonably priced." The answer was a firm no. PSC chair Jason Shaw, a Republican, said he agrees Georgia Power should share more unredacted information about its data center deals.

For homeowners, this doesn't change any rebate or upgrade program directly, but it matters because the commission's decisions on data center contracts and rate increases shape what Georgia Power customers pay each month. Two Democrats elected last year have pushed back on rate hikes but remain in the minority. Two more seats are on the ballot this November, and if Democrats win both, the commission could flip to a Democratic majority for the first time in decades. Early voting begins October 13.