Since Project Camellia was announced, Effingham County residents and local environmental groups have raised concerns about its potential effects on the environment, particularly noise, air, water and wildlife. We live in an area with a dynamic climate, sensitive hydrology and rich biodiversity. A 1,400-acre data center campus would represent a significant change to the landscape and could have substantial environmental effects. For specific answers, I attended the OpenAI open house on July 23 and spoke directly with officials about environmental concerns. Based on those conversations with OpenAI officials and concerned residents, along with further research, these are some of the potential environmental consequences of Project Camellia. Noise pollution from Project Camellia is a major concern for Effingham County residents. Hyperscale data centers can be noisy neighbors. The industrial equipment must be cooled by massive HVAC systems and thousands of fans that run 24/7, potentially creating a constant, low-frequency hum that could travel for miles. Prolonged exposure to noise can affect human health, including sleep and stress levels. That is a particular concern for residents of Belmont Glen, who would live next door to the proposed site. The county ordinance restricts Project Camellia’s noise production to 50 decibels or below at the property line, as loud as a normal conversation. An OpenAI official said the company plans to reduce noise using “existing buffers” but did…
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