Community Voices Lead the Conversation on Energy and Housing Affordability in Albany
The Georgians Organized to Survive and Thrive (GOST) Network recently joined partners across South Georgia for Our Homes, Our Power: A Call for Energy and Housing Affordability in South Georgia, a free community event hosted by Black 2 the Future and Climate Power in Albany, Georgia.
Held at the Northwest Library Event Center, the gathering brought together residents, local leaders, and organizations working to address housing affordability, energy costs, environmental health, and community resilience. Participating organizations included Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund, Southeast Wind Network, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), Southface Institute, Sustainable Georgia Futures, SOWEGA Rising, and other community partners.
The event featured a community resource marketplace where attendees connected with organizations offering information on clean energy, energy efficiency incentives, civic engagement opportunities, and community resources. Free meals, children’s activities, and a utility bill assistance raffle helped make the event accessible and welcoming for families.
Community Concerns Take Center Stage
A highlight of the event was a community conversation featuring Georgia Public Service Commissioner Peter Hubbard and Albany City Commissioner Diana Brown. Residents engaged directly with the panelists, sharing concerns about housing and utility affordability, environmental quality, and the growing interest in data center development across South Georgia.
Questions about the potential impacts of data centers on electricity demand, water resources, and local communities were a recurring theme. Residents also voiced concerns about protecting the Flint River, supporting local agriculture, and ensuring future development benefits the community.
Understanding Energy Decisions and Local Impact
Hubbard discussed how energy decisions made at the state level can affect communities for years to come. He explained that although Albany residents may receive service from different utilities, many energy planning and generation decisions are interconnected across Georgia.
Addressing the growth of data center development in rural communities, Hubbard pointed to what he described as “sweetheart deals and tax abatements, and the large amounts of land” available in South and West Georgia that have attracted developers and investors.
He also shared his vision of the Public Service Commission as a resource for local governments, encouraging a “whole government approach” to addressing community energy challenges.
The Importance of Local Leadership and Community Engagement
Brown focused on the affordability challenges many Albany residents face and emphasized the importance of elected officials being present in their communities, listening to residents, and remaining accountable to public concerns.
Several attendees connected current discussions around data centers to past environmental justice concerns in the region, including community concerns regarding the Southern Natural Gas compressor station in Dougherty County. Residents reflected on the importance of ensuring that future development does not disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.
When asked how communities can become more engaged on issues such as energy planning and data center development, Hubbard stressed the importance of officials’ long-term engagement with the public. He noted that meaningful change at the regulatory level often takes time and often times the public feels like meaningful impact and engagement is limited. To change that narrative, Hubbard argued that Georgia and it’s leaders must “create an alternate vision for the future” that reflects the public’s priorities and values they want to see for the state.
Recognizing that meaningful change takes time, he encouraged a multi-layered approach, explaining that “we need short-term, medium-term, and long-term changes” to address affordability challenges and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Building Community Through Conversation
The event demonstrated the value of bringing together residents, community organizations, and elected officials to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing South Georgia. By creating space for dialogue and resource sharing, partners were able to connect community members with valuable information while elevating local voices and concerns.
As the GOST Network continues its work across Georgia, events like Our Homes, Our Power reinforce the importance of community-led conversations that help build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.