Georgia residents homes seized by private company in $16B AI data center plan

20 hours ago

Georgia Power is using eminent domain to seize hundreds of properties in Coweta and Fayette counties for a $16 billion grid expansion plan to meet surging electricity demand, largely driven by data centers.
At least 330 properties are affected, with 20-30 homes to be demolished and many landowners forced to accept permanent easements for high-voltage transmission lines close to their homes.
Affected residents, like Ansley Brown and Cynthia Van Epps, report lowball offers and coercive tactics, with some offers hundreds of thousands below property values and threats of condemnation.
Residents argue the project disproportionately benefits private corporations, particularly data centers, while destroying their property values and quality of life, with safe distances from power lines not being met.
Alternatives like burying lines or choosing less destructive routes were dismissed as impractical, leading to public outrage and legal challenges, including questions about blanket eminent domain authority.
Georgia Power claims it negotiates in good faith, uses eminent domain as a last resort (less than 1% of transactions), and selected the route with the least community and environmental impact.

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