Join Us for Our Consumer Champion Awards!

Georgia Watch’s 2026 Consumer Champion Awards Celebration is just THREE WEEKS away!

Join us as we recognize six outstanding leaders whose work is helping protect consumers and improve the lives of Georgians. We’ll gather at Bold Monk Brewing Company, a welcoming Atlanta venue featuring a restaurant, brewery, bookstore, and beer garden.

Date: October 1, 2026

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: Bold Monk Brewery Co.

1737 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Bldg D,

Atlanta, GA 30318

Reserve your tickets today and help us celebrate this year’s Consumer Champions!

What the Latest Data Center Deal Means for Your Electric Bill

It’s no secret Georgia is attracting AI data centers at a rapid pace. One of the Peach State’s largest proposed projects is OpenAI’s planned data center in Effingham County, which could require up to 3.2 gigawatts of electricity.

These massive facilities can use as much electricity as entire communities, raising a basic question: Who pays for the new power plants and grid infrastructure needed to serve them?

Read our latest blog to learn what this deal could mean for your electric bill.

Georgia’s Maternal Health Roadmap: Turning Study Findings Into Action

Newly released recommendations from a state legislative commission have brought renewed urgency to Georgia’s maternal health crisis. The study committee’s findings directly confront the critical care gaps holding our state back, while delivering a clear, actionable playbook to save lives. As healthcare leaders tackle growing workforce shortages and communities face continuing barriers to care, these recommendations offer both a wake-up call and a strategy to transform care delivery.

Read our latest blog for a closer look at the recommendations and how they could help Georgia address its maternal health crisis.

Welcome Fall Interns and Externs

Luke Philip joins Georgia Watch as our fall legal extern. A third-year student at Emory Law, he brings previous legal experience supporting healthcare compliance and working on utility-related property damage, personal injury, and litigation matters. With interests in expanding access to healthcare, strengthening financial protections, and advancing consumer energy interests, he is excited to support Georgia Watch’s work on behalf of consumers across the state.

Lena Ayoub joins Georgia Watch as a Fall Legal Extern. A third-year student at Emory Law, she brings previous experience in policy research, constituent advocacy, and the legislative process from her work with the U.S. House of Representatives. With interests in environmental law, consumer protection, and the public health impacts of data center development, Lena looks ahead to advocating for responsible growth and safer, more equitable communities across Georgia.

Nia McKenzie joins Georgia Watch this fall and spring as an Emory Rollins Public Health Intern. An Atlanta native and Spelman College graduate, Nia is pursuing a Master of Public Health in environmental health at Emory University and has completed research internships with Stanford, Georgia Tech, and NASA. With a strong interest in environmental data and climate disparities, she looks forward to supporting Georgia Watch’s work on hospital accountability, healthcare affordability, and consumer energy issues.

In the News

Georgia Power deal to power OpenAI data center is approved, with some fine print

Every day, Georgia Watch advocates to ensure your access to healthcare, economic opportunity, and fair financial practices.

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