Data Center

Democrats See Georgia's Failure to Curb Data Centers as an Electoral Gift

Efforts to pass stricter regulations or limit tax breaks stalled before lawmakers ended their annual session Thursday.

Associated Press

Apr 6, 2026 — 3 min read

Photo of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaking during a campaign event on Feb. 12, 2026, by Alyssa Pointer/AP

ATLANTA, April 6, 2026 (AP) — Georgia state lawmakers spent months debating ideas to curb the impact of data centers. But as their annual legislative session ended Thursday, they did nothing.

Now with election season upon them, lawmakers are returning home to find local communities up in arms against the warehouses full of computers that power artificial intelligence.

“I think they failed us, that's what I think” said Judy Mullis, an activist fighting plans for a data center near Newnan, southwest of Atlanta. “I think they had the opportunity to do the right thing, and they didn't. I'm so tired of them prioritizing big money.”

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Data Center Georgia Judy Mullis Georgia Public Service Commission Cyndie Hutchings Vance Smith Georgia Power Southern Company Matthew Kent Brad Thomas Chuck Hufstetler Burt Jones Brian Kemp Khara Boender Mark Woodall