TWIGGS COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia has adopted new rules requiring large data center proposals to undergo state-level review before local governments can approve them, a change that comes too late for opponents of a controversial facility already approved in Twiggs County .

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs board voted unanimously Thursday to expand its Development of Regional Impact process to explicitly cover data centers. The new rules end a pause on such reviews that began in June and will take effect 20 days after filing with the Georgia Secretary of State's office.

Under the changes, data centers larger than 500,000 square feet in rural areas like Twiggs County must undergo state review examining their impact on water supplies, electrical infrastructure and traffic before cou

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