OpenAI plans to construct a portion of its data center in Effingham County, Georgia, located on wetlands. – OpenAI. Savannah Morning News reported that the company has submitted a federal permit request to fill 72 acres of wetlands at the data center location. OpenAI is the one who filed the permit application with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Upon approval, OpenAI will be permitted to construct four substantial data center facilities along with pertinent infrastructure at the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, a 2600-acre campus specifically designed for industrial corporations. The campus’s proposals were initially unveiled in July.
The initiative, named Project Camellia, is anticipated to cover an area of approximately 4.4 million square feet (408,153 square meters). The corporation has secured an agreement for 3.2GW of energy from the Georgia Power Company, with deliveries anticipated to commence between 2028 and 2032.
Reports indicated that the company might invest over $30 billion in developing the project. OpenAI has stated that it will cover the expenses for infrastructure and electricity services associated with the data center, and will decrease its power consumption by up to 1GW of “flexible demand response” during peak demand periods.
The announcement of the filing has alarmed environmental organizations, who have cautioned that constructing on the wetlands might lead to flooding. Jeff Beauvais, an activist from the conservation organization One Hundred Miles, commented, “Adding such a massive amount of impervious surface to an area surrounded by two permanent creeks is concerning, given our known flooding issues near Dasher Creek.
This development will not be beneficial for those living downstream.” OpenAI has employed engineers to investigate stormwater runoff and revealed intentions to build stormwater systems that will parallel the drainage capacities of present wetlands and natural soils. In addition to flood prevention, wetlands confer multiple significant advantages to the local environment and its wildlife.
Developers must obtain a permit from the federal government under the Clean Water Act to destroy or disturb wetlands. This permit will only be granted if the site is considered the “Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative.” OpenAI claims that its data center proposal maintains 70% of the wetlands within the project area, encompassing a larger, uninterrupted stretch of wetlands.
The public is invited to submit feedback on the application before November 4th.
