Kala Hunter

Big tech and energy utilities put $500K into Georgia state races as data center build outs and utility influence shape 2026 legislative contests and disclosures.

Oliver Dam in Columbus is receiving major upgrades funded by a $26.5B Southern Company loan to modernize hydro plants and improve generation efficiency.

Forecasters warn a Gulf of Mexico tropical development may form Hurricane Isaias, producing heavy rain across GA and possible tornado threats east of the storm.

Columbus landowner John “Donnie” Peek challenges Kinder Morgan and Southern Company over the SSE4 pipeline route that diverts onto his Muscogee County property.

Residents across Georgia warn the SSE4 pipeline threatens rivers, homes and rates as critics argue the project is unnecessary and harms communities.

Plaintiffs and City of Columbus debate jury vs bench trial for Project Ruby data center lawsuit; judge orders discovery and a schedule by Monday.

Removing the Roadless Rule could allow new roads and logging in GA national forests, stirring debate between wildfire control advocates and conservation groups.

Georgia Power and OpenAI outline Project Camellia terms as PSC reviews redacted contract, promising residential rate protections and sparking public debate.

A new Georgia survey and NCRC map show 73% of residents worry about data centers, prompting calls for transparency, moratoriums & community benefit agreements.

Upatoi, Georgia, residents in Keep It Rural LLC sued the Columbus Council in GA after the technology overlay district for a hyperscale data Center was approved.

Public testimony and commissioner objections led Georgia Power to move the OpenAI contract filing date, buying time to address cost and transparency concerns.

In mid-July, while automotive metal casting company Aludyne Foundry LLC was closing its shop and demolishing its business in Columbus, it spilled a notable amount of diesel fuel into Roaring Branch Creek.

Like bordering Muscogee and Talbot counties, Harris County is a Columbus, GA, area jurisdiction where public officials and residents debate data centers.

Plaintiffs argue Talbot County violated Georgia zoning procedures, open meetings and due process by adding data center provisions without public notice.

Diesel spilled during demolition at Aludyne Foundry in Columbus, Georgia, led to emergency containment, EPD inspections and a city stop-work order after report.

Columbus Water Works president Jeremy Cummings confirmed cyberattack alerts amid wider threats to GA water and wastewater systems while investigations continue.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to remove public notice and public comments for state-level air quality permits, a significant change to the 1973 Clean Air Act. The change — which could occur in a few weeks — would take away a common form of public awareness for a new data center and public participation, speeding up the review process.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to remove public notice and public comments for state-level air quality permits, a significant change to the 1973 Clean Air Act. The change — which could occur in a few weeks — would take away a common form of public awareness for a new data center and public participation, speeding up the review process.

A proposed Clean Air Act change would limit public participation in state-level air permits, raising concerns over diesel generators and impacts in Georgia.