FILE - A factory building is under construction at Hyundai’s first U.S. plant for manufacturing electric vehicles on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Ellabell, Ga. A private utility is asking Georgia lawmakers to change a state law so it can provide water service to new homes near Hyundai’s upcoming electric vehicle plant without getting permission from local governments. A state Senate committee in Atlanta voted Tuesday, March 12, 2024, to advance the proposal a week after it passed the House.
Sen. Frank Ginn, a Republican from Danielsville, said he opposed the change because it would allow private utilities to disrupt local planning for growth and development. Before serving in the legislature, Ginn worked as a city and county manager. It’s not just Bryan County that would be impacted. The bypass provision would apply to any projects seeking water from “coastal aquifers,” which the Georgia Association of Water Professionals says would include most of southern Georgia.
Smith says Water Utility Management has the capacity to withdraw enough water to supply about 3,000 homes near the Hyundai plant, but has struggled to get approval from Bryan County.