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OpenAI Pledges No Power Bill Hikes, Minimal Water Use for Data Centers

OpenAI Pledges No Power Bill Hikes, Minimal Water Use for Data Centers

September 18, 2026
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OpenAI Pledges No Power Bill Hikes, Minimal Water Use for Data Centers

Amid growing resistance to AI infrastructure nationwide, OpenAI is shifting to a more collaborative strategy. A July 23 Business Insider report reveals that OpenAI is actively seeking community backing for Project Camellia, a proposed data center campus in Effingham County, Georgia. Spanning approximately 567 hectares near Savannah, the project requires a minimum $2 billion investment and an estimated 3.2 gigawatts of power.

OpenAI confirms it has engaged with state and local officials, community leaders, and educators, with public meetings planned to continue this dialogue. The company stresses that early community involvement is essential for building trust, noting the project remains in its early stages with significant work ahead regarding infrastructure, scheduling, design, financing, and operations. Effingham County Commissioner Jamie Drollinger highlighted that while residents raised valid concerns, the project will use minimal water, avoid raising local energy costs, and generate tax revenue to support schools and local businesses.

OpenAI has already secured a power supply agreement with Georgia Power. The 567-hectare campus will be powered in phases between 2028 and 2032. To address common sources of neighborhood opposition, OpenAI has outlined four specific commitments designed to mitigate local impact.

These commitments guarantee that local electricity bills will not increase and that the campus’s closed-loop water system will maintain extremely low water usage. Georgia families will not be charged for infrastructure or power services, as OpenAI will cover all associated costs. Additionally, the facility will be among the first data centers capable of reducing power consumption during peak hours to protect residential users. Financial contributions include $80 million for the community over the project’s lifecycle and $71 million in Codex usage credits for students at eligible Georgia universities, community colleges, and technical schools, providing each qualified student with $100 in credits via their ChatGPT account.

To ensure accountability, an independent institution will audit OpenAI’s compliance annually and publish the results. Upon completion, the campus is projected to create thousands of construction jobs and over 1,000 long-term operational positions. By situating computing infrastructure in rural areas while prioritizing community benefits, OpenAI aims to secure local support before proceeding.

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