Concerned additional electricity needs to power data centers across Georgia will be reliant on fossil fuels, despite municipalities’ 100% clean energy goals
DEKALB COUNTY – On October 21, 2025, DeKalb County Super District 6 Commission Office attended a Public Hearing by the Georgia Public Service Commission on Dockets 56298 and 56310, Georgia Power Company’s Application for the Certification of the 2029-2031 All-Source Capacity RFP and for the Certification of Supplemental Resources for 2028-2031 Capacity, respectively. The Super District 6 Commission office was present to advocate for clean energy use that aligns with the county’s clean energy goals established in 2021.
“Georgia Power is preparing to meet the energy needs of a growing Georgia. It is no secret that data centers are booming in Georgia, which will require significant amounts of energy,” said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry. “In this moment, DeKalb County is balancing decreasing our carbon emissions to reach our 100% clean energy goals community wide by 2050 and developing our own data center regulations to protect community members. DeKalb County can’t require data centers to use clean energy, but the Public Service Commission can require Georgia Power use a specific energy mix. For DeKalb County to reach our goals, we all must work together and prioritize reducing Georgia’s reliance on fossil fuels.”
In 2021, Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry introduced the DeKalb County resolution committing the county to reaching 100% clean energy by 2050, which the Board passed that same year. This resolution launched a plan development process by the Southface Institute. The final plan was adopted by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Earth Day 2025.
“I ask that you consider the environmental effects of expanded use of methane gas and nuclear energy, in deciding whether or not you will approve these applications. Methane gas is a potent greenhouse gas that has 80 times more warming power than carbon dioxide during its first twenty years in the atmosphere. Burning methane gas also releases deadly fine particulate matter and smog-forming nitrogen oxides, as well as volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde that can cause cancer and respiratory problems,” stated the statement prepared by the Super District 6 office. “We serve many in communities that are already overly burdened with poor air quality and the addition of these toxins into the atmosphere would only serve to exacerbate already adverse health conditions. In addition, the Dekalb County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution adopting a Clean Energy Transition Plan, with the goal of 100% Clean Energy by 2050. In order for us to achieve that goal, we are counting on your partnership in prioritizing renewable energy use and acquisition.”
DeKalb County has intervened before in 2023 and 2025 alongside the city of Decatur, Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens Clarke-County to form the Local Government Coalition. This intervening took place during the Georgia Power Integrated Resource Plan process advocating, again, for polices that support the municipalities’ clean energy goals on behalf of residents.