Journal of Science Policy & Governance
Volume 26, Issue 01 | June 16, 2025

Policy Memo
The Resource-Draining Origins of Our AI Assistants: Potential Policy Solutions to the Unregulated Growth of Georgia’s Data Center Industry

Mary Romano1, Katherine Logue1, Molly Tipping1, April McLane1, Richard Hunnewell1, Devanshi Kaura1, Rotem Kanny1
  1. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, US
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​Corresponding author:  [email protected] ​​​
Keywords: Canada; open access; Diamond journals; research funding ​
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG260110 ​

Executive Summary

Data centers have been used for decades to store vital information and run complicated algorithms. They have become increasingly important for cloud storage and, more recently, the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine-learning technologies. As the data center industry grows, its actual and potential environmental impacts should be monitored. Data centers consume vast amounts of water and power to function, sometimes harming the communities in which they operate. Currently, data center regulation is evolving rapidly. States across the U.S. are taking various approaches to mitigate the consequences of data center development. However, in the United States, companies are currently not required by the federal government to report power or water consumption. While larger data centers owned by tech giants tend to have high sustainability goals, the industry lags behind ideal sustainability levels of sustainability. There is ongoing debate as to whether data center development brings net economic good to the communities in which they operate when considering direct and indirect factors. Across the country, data center development is increasing, especially in Georgia and the Atlanta metro area. There are several reasons Georgia is an attractive location for data center development, including access to reliable power, a booming tech industry, and beneficial tax incentives. Given its position as an emerging data center hub, Georgia is well-placed to make strides in data center policy that addresses environmental and socioeconomic concerns. The Georgia government should introduce state-level regulations that create a data center study committee and a sustainability penalty policy. The study committee will enhance policymakers’ understanding of data center resource consumption and inform future policy. The sustainability penalty system will incentivize use of renewable energy to mitigate the effects of high energy consumption. This will foster a more sustainable data center industry that considers the environment, Georgia’s emissions goals, and the well-being of Georgia residents.

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Background header image courtesy of georgiarecorder
Mary Romano is an undergraduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology studying Public Policy. Mary specializes in Energy and Environment policy and Science and Technology policy. After graduation, Mary plans on pursuing a career in environmental policy. 
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Katherine Logue is an undergraduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Her primary research interest is the intersection of computing and conservation, exploring how code can help address climate change. After graduating, Katherine plans to pursue a career in climate modeling. 

Molly Tipping is an undergraduate Public Policy major at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is primarily interested in researching the intersections between social inequity (particularly in public health), climate change, and economic development. After graduation, Molly plans to obtain a J.D. and pursue a legal career in the realm of environmental policy and sustainable development. 

April McLane is an undergraduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Chemistry. She is primarily interested in how the chemical structures of materials can be used to advance renewable energy and sustainability. After graduation, April plans on pursuing a master’s in chemistry. 

Richard Hunnewell or RJ, is an undergraduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Nuclear and Radiological Engineering. He is primarily involved in research regarding nuclear power plant simulation, with secondary interests in robotics, namely perception and control in nuclear contexts. After graduation, RJ plans on pursuing a master’s in Nuclear Engineering. 

Devanshi Kaura is an undergraduate Materials Science and Engineering major at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While her interests span disciplines, she is most interested in renewable energy efficiency and sustainable product development as well as their intersection with policy. After graduation, Devanshi plans on pursuing a master's in public policy followed by a career in science and technology policy. 

Rotem Kanny is an undergraduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology studying Public Policy. Rotem specializes in Energy and Environment Policy and Politics and Policy. After graduation, Rotem plans to pursue a master’s in sustainable energy and a career in environmental and energy policy, either in the government or corporate space. ​

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