Lawsuit Challenges OpenAI Data Center Project in Georgia

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit in Effingham County Superior Court against the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority (ECIDA) and Octans GA LLC, an affiliate of OpenAI. The suit alleges that the ECIDA violated Georgia’s Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act during negotiations for Project Camellia, a proposed $20 billion data center campus.

Plaintiffs, including the environmental group One Hundred Miles and local residents, claim the authority concealed project details by using the code name Project Gateway. The lawsuit further alleges that the ECIDA failed to provide proper notice for a rescheduled July meeting and improperly discussed a tax abatement worth nearly $900 million in a closed session. Additionally, the suit challenges the sale of 1,440 acres of public land to Octans GA LLC, citing a lack of public disclosure and voting.

This action marks the second legal challenge to the project, following a previous suit by residents seeking to invalidate a zoning ordinance that allows data centers in industrial districts. The ECIDA stated it has not been formally served but will review the allegations.