Concerns over speculative growth in Georgia's data center and AI investments dominated discussions at the Special Committee on Resource Management meeting on May 22, 2025. Committee members expressed apprehension about the sustainability of current expansion plans, with one speaker highlighting that major companies, including Microsoft, are pausing projects amid fears of a potential investment bubble.

The speaker raised critical questions about the reliability of companies making long-term plans, noting that many data center projects are being rolled out in phases, which could lead to vacant facilities and excess power generation if these ventures fail. "Companies making 5-year plans are not very reliable," they stated, urging the committee to scrutinize the claims of data centers as "critical infrastructure" while questioning their priority in power restoration during emergencies.

The discussion also touched on the need for transparency in reporting from these companies. The speaker emphasized that without concrete data on water usage and energy consumption, planning for future resource management becomes nearly impossible. They proposed that data centers should contribute more to local communities, suggesting investments in infrastructure and educational initiatives as part of their operational agreements.

In a call to action, the speaker urged the committee to ensure that data centers are held accountable as "good neighbors," advocating for measures such as requiring them to invest in battery storage for grid resilience and to utilize gray water for cooling systems. The meeting concluded with a sense of urgency for the committee to take proactive steps in managing the implications of these investments on Georgia's resources and communities.