Groups Urge Gov. Kemp to Sign Legislation Pausing Tax Breaks for Data Centers

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Massive data centers also have huge environmental impact 

 

ATLANTA – Environment Georgia is leading an effort urging Gov. Brian Kemp to sign HB 1192, which would pause tax credits given to data centers and investigate the energy impacts they have on Georgia. The bill was introduced by state Rep. John Carson.

Just a few days after Earth Day, Environment Georgia and eight allied organizations delivered a letter to Gov. Kemp applauding the legislation and raising concerns around the increased pollution and costs that come when data centers are powered by fossil fuels and other forms of dirty energy.

Data centers are energy intensive, many using more than 200 megawatts (MW) of power. The United States Department of Energy estimates that 1 MW could power 1,000 homes.  In 2023 Environment Georgia released a report that looked at the solar potential of data center and warehouse space around the country. The report found that Georgia could generate enough energy to power 753,000 homes on the roofs of data centers and warehouses alone.

 “Giving data centers a tax break with no thought to their impact on our environment and utility bill payers is bad policy,” said Jennette Gayer, director of Environment Georgia. “We hope the Governor signs this common sense legislation.”

 

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