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Residents press commissioners for data-center safeguards, visits and livestreaming
Summary
Multiple residents told commissioners they are concerned about a proposed data center's water demands, potential environmental impacts and conflicts of interest; speakers urged the county to visit operating sites, craft guardrails or ordinances, and begin livestreaming board meetings.
Several residents used the public-comment period to press the Lowndes County commission for more information and protections related to a proposed data center development.
Jimmy LaFaul told the board he sees local river levels declining and asked for an update on county visits to existing data centers and on next steps in the county's review process. Michael Noll, representing Long Citizens Against Data Centers, said town-hall meetings and outside experts have raised questions and urged commissioners to visit communities that host data centers and to develop local ordinances to provide "guardrails" for future projects.
Susan Whaling said she had heard a rumor that a commissioner's son had discussed cooling contracts tied to a data center and asked that the board address the allegation. She also urged the county to livestream commission meetings, saying the city already does so and that livestreaming would increase transparency.
George Fisher, a petroleum geophysicist, described technical concerns about the Upper Floridan aquifer, sinkholes and subsidence in locations he said were near proposed sites. He warned that large groundwater withdrawals could affect water quality and ground stability and offered to present more detailed studies to the board.
Commissioners did not take action during the public-comment period but were asked by residents to report back on site visits, ordinance development and livestreaming options at a future meeting.
