Development threats: data centers, eminent domain, zoning fights

Massive data center boom continues with OpenAI $20B facility in Effingham (secretive deal, NDA, zoning loopholes, resource strain), Newton County halt, Cobb County moratorium expiring, Foxborough community mobilizes, Augusta moratorium extended. Cherokee County eyes moratorium into 2027. Georgia Power breaks ground on natural gas expansion at Plant Bowen (air pollution concerns, SELC/Sierra Club legal challenge). Columbus construction site sediment pollution lawsuit. Marietta approves 136-home development in floodplain. DeKalb County rewriting zoning rules that could affect development density, green space, and stormwater management. New: Georgia DOT begins pursuing NEPA review authority – procedural shift that could speed up highway projects but reduce federal environmental oversight; directly affects wetlands, wildlife, and community impacts. New: Atlanta's tree canopy hits new low (45.5%), highlighting development pressure on urban green space and transparency issues. New: EPA proposes stripping public notice/comment from Clean Air Act permits, threatening community oversight of data center pollution in Georgia. New: Advocates claim proposed Adair Park data center plans mirror historical redlining – residents frame it as 'redlining 2.0', council considers amendment to allow near MARTA stations after banning them. New: Candidate Brian Strickland shares stance on data centers – local control, environmental oversight.