The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper gave 10-pages of recommendations and information about data centers to the Columbus Council ahead of Tuesday’s first reading of the proposed technology overlay district ordinance for data centers.
CRK has had its eyes and ears on the rapid influx of hyperscale data centers in Georgia for the past several years, as the scale and speed of development have drawn criticism for their unprecedented water demand required to cool equipment inside the facilities. The water policy director for CRK, Chris Manganiello, has examined the different ordinances made throughout the Chattahoochee basin, from Troup County and Coweta County and in between.
CRK director Henry Jacobs and Manganiello wrote in their letter to the council that they agree with the latest technology overlay draft, prohibiting open-loop cooling. However, they critique the lack of text about water and other environmental concerns, and they contend the ordinance should go further in protections…