Georgia lawmakers approve private water utility bypassing county to serve homes near Hyundai plant
Georgia lawmakers have agreed to change a state law so that a private utility can provide water service to homes near Hyundai's upcoming electric vehicle plant without permission from local governments
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Georgia lawmakers gave final passage Thursday to a change in state law that would allow a private utility to provide water service for new homes near Hyundai's upcoming electric vehicle plant without first getting permission from local governments.
The state Senate approved House Bill 1146 by a vote of 32-22 on the final day of the legislative session. The measure now goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to be signed into law.
Hyundai broke ground in October 2022 on its first U.S. factory dedicated to producing EVs and the batteries that power them. It’s the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history, and construction has progressed quickly as the South Korean automaker seeks to begin manufacturing cars by the end of this year.
Supporters of the bill said the legislation is needed to accelerate home construction in Bryan County, where Hyundai plans to employ 8,500 workers at its $7.6 billion EV plant west of Savannah. They say the county's water system can't meet the area's growing need for housing, but local officials have been reluctant to give a private utility their consent to help provide service as the law currently requires.
«We have to find a way to meet an immediate need for workforce housing, and in order to get that done we need a private water option and a public water option,” said Sen. Max Burns, a Republican from Sylvania who supported the proposal.
Opponents argue that letting private utilities bypass city and county governments undermines their ability to manage limited water
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