Recently, Georgians across the state have expressed concerns over the potential for new data centers to be built in their communities. Another contentious issue, he said, is the sales tax exemption many states offer to incentivize data center development. Last week, many local residents challenged OpenAI, the organization known for ChatGPT, after it announced plans to construct a $20 billion data center in Effingham County. According to Hufstetler, Georgians may have different representation on the state’s Public Service Commission starting in January. “There very well might be, come January, three of the five public service commissioners … will be more supportive of the residential customers and small businesses,” he said.