Data center preparation; Georgia's storm resilience; World Cup traffic

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast: Data Center Preparation, Georgia’s Storm Resilience, and World Cup Traffic

Date: May 29, 2026
Host: Peter Biello, GPB News

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Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today dives into how Georgia communities are preparing for data center investments, the challenges local governments face in storm resilience due to federal budget cuts, and the anticipated traffic chaos in Atlanta as the city gears up for the FIFA World Cup. The episode also briefly covers U.S. Soccer’s new training facility, a controversial judicial reprimand, leadership changes at Emory University, and the Atlanta Braves’ latest results.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Georgia’s Storm Resilience Faces Budget Challenges

Segment: 00:28–02:11

• Hurricane Impact: Georgia experienced major outages during Hurricane Helene in 2024, with over 1.5 million power outages.
• Local Solar Solutions: Some residents, like Mark Thomas in Savannah, remained powered due to a local low-income solar initiative called the Georgia Bright program, started in 2023.
• Funding Cuts: The Georgia Bright program lost federal support after subsidies were cut under the Trump administration, leaving communities vulnerable in storm season.
• Local Adaptation: Savannah’s Mayor Van Johnson expresses hope that federal dollars return but is emphasizing smaller-scale home energy solutions with nonprofits in the interim.
  • Quote [01:24]:
    “It happened and then it went away because some of the federal funding went away. You know, we have to recognize that times are changing. We have to remain engaged.” — Mayor Van Johnson
  • Memorable Moment [01:50]:
    “For now, we know if anything happens over the summer, we’re all going to show up at Mark Thomas’ house because he has power and we want everybody to have the power.” — Mayor Van Johnson

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2. Georgia Chamber Launches Data Center Ready Program

Segment: 02:11–02:54

• Initiative Details: The Georgia Chamber of Commerce introduces a “Data Center Ready” designation to guide communities in determining their suitability for data centers, focusing on infrastructure (fiber, water, workforce, land use, zoning).
  • Quote [02:43]:
    “We’re not saying that every community wants a data center, but we want to make sure that those that do are following the right process, are transparent and can work with all partners that might be interested.” — Chris Clark, Georgia Chamber President & CEO
• Balancing Benefit and Opposition: Data centers carry both economic promise and controversy due to high energy demands and local environmental impacts, leading to political scrutiny from both sides.

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3. Power Rates Cut Amid Data Center Concerns

Segment: 03:06–03:34

• Rate Reduction: Georgia Power’s 2.5 million residential customers will see bills drop by $4 a month due to regulatory changes.
• Broader Issues: Consumer and environmental advocates warn this masks bigger issues, especially how data center expansions impact the grid and whether these facilities are paying their fair share.
  • Summary Point: Bob Sherrier of the Southern Environmental Law Center highlights data centers’ disproportionate benefit at ratepayers’ expense.

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4. Atlanta Braces for World Cup Traffic

Segment: 03:45–04:51

• World Cup Traffic Forecast: Atlanta is set to host eight FIFA World Cup matches; officials predict unprecedented congestion due to the influx of visitors, fan events, and dignitary motorcades.
• Commuter Advice: Atlanta Regional Commission’s Johann Weber recommends planning ahead:
  • Quote [04:22]:
    “Come in a little earlier those days. Avoid leaving, you know, especially during that two to four window. Maybe you can, you know, adjust your schedule. Flex your schedule.” — Johann Weber
• Transit & Surprises: Expect increased use of public transport and unforeseen road blockages. Officials urge flexibility and public transportation whenever possible.

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5. U.S. Soccer’s New Training Facility Powers Future Generations

Segment: 04:51–05:25

• Team USA Preparation: The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team begins training at the new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, GA.
• Player Perspective:
  • Quote [05:10]:
    “As a youth national team player, if I could have ever had the opportunity to be even close to the senior team, that would have been really special because that’s your dream...This is what you’re working towards and this is how you can achieve it.” — Tyler Adams, U.S. midfielder
• Upcoming Matches: Team USA to play a friendly match against Senegal before starting their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles on June 12th.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We have to recognize that times are changing. We have to remain engaged.” — Mayor Van Johnson [01:24]
• “We’re not saying that every community wants a data center, but we want to make sure that those that do are following the right process, are transparent and can work with all partners that might be interested.” — Chris Clark [02:43]
• “Come in a little earlier those days…maybe you can adjust your schedule. Flex your schedule.” — Johann Weber [04:22]
• “As a youth national team player, if I could have ever had the opportunity to be even close to the senior team, that would have been really special because that’s your dream.” — Tyler Adams [05:10]
• “If anything happens over the summer, we’re all going to show up at Mark Thomas’ house because he has power and we want everybody to have the power.” — Mayor Van Johnson [01:50]

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Additional Headlines (Brief Notes)

• Judicial Scandal: Federal judge Eleanor Ross receives a private reprimand for an affair with a police officer in chambers.
  Segment: 05:38
• Emory University President: Christopher Augustini to take charge as Emory’s president in September.
• Columbus Clingstones’ Alternate Identity: The AA affiliate Braves team will play as the “Columbus Scrambled Dogs” in tribute to a local food tradition.
• Braves Update: Atlanta Braves beat the Red Sox, with strong performances from Ronald Acuña Jr. and Chris Sale.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:28] Federal budget cuts and storm resilience in Georgia
• [01:05] Georgia Bright solar program discussion
• [01:24] Mayor Van Johnson on adapting to lost funding
• [02:11] Georgia Chamber’s Data Center Ready initiative
• [02:43] Chris Clark’s remarks on data center preparation
• [03:06] Georgia Power rate reduction and data center impact
• [04:22] Johann Weber on World Cup traffic strategies
• [05:10] Tyler Adams on the new U.S. Soccer facility

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Stay informed by subscribing to Georgia Today for ongoing in-depth local coverage.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, the Georgia Chamber helps cities prepare for data centers Federal budget cuts hurt Georgia's storm resilience and if you think Atlanta traffic is bad now, wait until the World cup starts.

[B]

Come in a little earlier those days. Avoid leaving, you know, especially during that two to four window. Maybe you can adjust your schedule or flex your schedule.

[A]

Today is Friday, May 29th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Federal budget cuts are putting a strain on cities as they prepare for storm season this year. GPB's Gillian Magtoto has more.

[C]

Hurricane Helene caused over 1.5 million power outages when it swept through Georgia in 2024. A week after making landfall, a few hundred thousand homes were still without power, but Savannah resident Mark Thomas lights were still on.

[D]

Our solar power kept us going with just minor discomforts through the whole period. We were able to take care of ourselves and help some of our neighbors.

[C]

The panels were made possible through the Georgia Bright program that began providing free solar panels to low income residents in 2023. Formally funded by the Inflation Reduction act, it was cut last year as the Trump administration canceled subsidies for renewable energy projects. That puts Savannians in a tricky spot, says Mayor Van Johnson.

[D]

It happened and then it went away because some of the federal funding went away. You know, we have to recognize that times are changing. We have to remain engaged.

[C]

Johnson says he hopes at some point federal dollars are reinstated, but in the meantime, he will work with non profits to focus on smaller fixes like weatherization and home energy audits. Finding funding for more expensive items like solar panels will require bringing bigger players to the table.

[D]

But for now, we know if anything happens over the summer, we're all going to show up at Mark Thomas House because he has power and we want everybody to have the power.

[C]

So many in Savannah might still be relying on their solar powered neighbors during storm season this year. For GBB News, I'm Jillian Magtoto. In Savannah,

[A]

the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is launching a new initiative to help communities who want data centers prepare to host them. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[E]

The Georg Chamber of Commerce Data Center Ready designation launches this summer and will help communities decide if they have the right access to fiber water systems, workforce and land use to support data centers as well as the proper zoning. Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark says the designation can help shoulder the high demand for data storage, which is needed for artificial intelligence, search engines and other digital products.

[F]

We're not saying that every community wants a data center, but we want to make sure that those that do are following the right process, are transparent and can work with all partners that might be interested.

[E]

Data centers have received pushback from both sides of the aisle because of their tax on local ecosystems and high energy use. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta.

[A]

Georgia Power's nearly 2.5 million residential customers will see a slight reduction in power bills after the state agency that regulates the utility approved rate changes. The Georgia Public Service Commission's decision yesterday will cut the typical residential customer's bill by about $4 a month. Consumer and environmental groups acknowledged the rate reduction but said it masks a larger problem. Bob Sherrier of the Southern Environmental Law center told commissioners data centers aren't paying their way entirely.

[G]

FBI partner agencies will use advanced technologies to detect, track, assess and potentially disable unauthorized drones.

[A]

Others question the company's plans on fuel purchasing, transportation costs, hedging practices and other concerns. The new rates go into effect in June as Atlanta prepares to host eight matches in the FIFA World cup beginning in two weeks. Transportation officials are advising commuters to have a game plan for traffic. The city's congestion can be outrageous on a normal day. Now add tens of thousands of visitors, watch parties and fan festivals, and even the most savvy commuters could face Gridloc. The Atlanta Regional Commission's Johann Weber says most of the matches are scheduled to begin at noon, with the worst traffic impacts a few hours later.

[B]

Come in a little earlier those days. Avoid leaving, you know, especially during that two to four window. Maybe you can, you know, adjust your schedule. It flex your schedule.

[A]

He also expects road clogging surprises like dignitary motorcades. Officials advise using public transit. The U.S. men's National Soccer team arrived in Georgia this week to train for the World cup at their new 200 acre facility in Fayetteville, south of Atlanta. GPB's Amanda Andrews has more from the players.

[G]

Team USA began training at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. soccer National Training Center Tuesday. Players shared their excitement about having a home facility and the opportunities it provides for the next generation of athletes. U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams says he's grateful to be training at the same place as the youth national teams.

[H]

As a youth national team player, if I could have ever had the opportunity to be even close to the senior team, that would have been really special because that's your dream. That's why you want to play for the national team. I think that's important with how they set it up and the plans moving forward that it's like this is what you're working towards and this is how you can achieve it.

[G]

The US Men's team will play a friendly match against Senegal Saturday before their first World cup game in Los Angeles June 12th. For GPB news, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[A]

A court investigation found that a federal judge had an affair with a police officer, including intimate sexual contact in chambers overheard by staff. The judge, identified by Bloomberg Law as Eleanor Ross, remains on the bench with a private reprimand. The Atlanta based 11th Circuit issued the reprimand in February and it was affirmed last week. The Atlanta Police Department has launched an investigation to determine if the officer is an employee. Bloomberg also identified the police officer as Atlanta Police Department Deputy Chief Kelly Collier. Emory University has selected a longtime administrator to serve as its next president. The university said yesterday that its executive vice president and chief operating officer Christopher Augustini, will lead the school beginning in September. He's the permanent replacement for former president Gregory Fenves, who stepped down from the position last year. In sports, the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, the Columbus Clingstones, will take the field for the first of three games as the Columbus Scrambled Dogs tomorrow. The alternate identity pays homage to a unique Columbus food tradition long associated with eateries like Dinglewood Pharmacy. The scrambled dog typically includes a chopped hot dog and a bun with chili, pickles, onions and oyster crackers. The game against the Biloxi Shuckers at Synovus park will feature specially designed jerseys and entertainment. The Clingstones also will play as the scrambled dogs on July 31 and September 5. And in Major League Baseball, Ronald Acuna Jr. Hit his fourth career grand slam and Chris Sale struck out eight and five innings against his former team as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Boston Red Sox 102 yesterday. Acuna cleared the Green Monster after pinch hitter Mike Yastremski, who is the grandson of Red Sox great Carl Yastremski, drew a bases loaded walk to break a two all tie in the sixth inning. Sale improved to 30 against the Red Sox since Boston traded its one time ace to Atlanta before the 2024 season. Michael Harris II and Ozzy Albee's also homered for Atlanta, which has the best record in all the majors at 38. 19. The Braves face the Reds in Cincinnati tonight for the first of a three game road series and that is a wrap on a busy week of news. Thank you so much for choosing Georgia Today as your way to stay on top of all things Georgia news. You can find the Latest headlines at gpb.org news as well as updates to the stories you heard on the podcast today. And we're going to be back in your feed on Monday as well, so make sure you subscribe to this podcast when you do. We will pop up in your feed automatically Monday afternoon. And as always, your feedback is welcome by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org We hope you stay dry this weekend. The rain is here and there, as it has been for a few weekends now. I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We'll see you next week.