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.
Opponents argue that letting private utilities bypass city and county governments undermines their ability to manage limited water resources in Georgia’s rapidly growing coastal region. The Georgia Association of Water Professionals said it would also circumvent safe drinking water rules intended to protect Georgia consumers.
Savannah-based Water Utility Management, a private company that supplies drinking water to 32,000 homes in 17 Georgia counties, pushed lawmakers to pass the bill. It would allow the company to bypass local governments that are unable to provide water for the same development project within 18 months.earlier this month that the measure would"prevent the county from having a veto power over a private system.
The association joined conservation groups in opposing the local government bypass, as did the Georgia Municipal Association and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. In Bryan County, home to about 45,000 people, the county government is pursuing a $360 million expansion of its own water and sewer system to serve the plant and nearby homes. The expansion is expected to come online next year.
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