Eric Gisler
DemocraticQ1 Georgia is becoming a hub for data centers due to tax breaks, amenable regulations, and available land (Perdue, 2025). While data centers may grow the tech industry in Georgia, data centers also have environmental and health impacts, such as significant water and electricity usage, as well as noise pollution (Science for Georgia, 2026). How will you protect Georgian health and property values with data center legislation?
I will start by repealing the current state tax credits1. Beyond that, the state should set standards for water consumption, and perhaps offer tax credits for reaching certain “stretch goals”. As far as power, at a bare minimum, legislation should ensure that residents do not foot the bill for infrastructure improvements, and datacenter owners should be incentivized to use green energy sources as much as possible. Local residents should have final say on location and whether datacenters are allowed in their communities at all. Ideally that should be done through local representatives, but if requiring referendums is necessary, so be it.
Q2 How will you ensure communities have meaningful opportunities to provide public comments that inform state and local decision making?
In my short time as a State Rep, I have gone out of my way to be transparent and accessible. In our system, I think it is up to elected officials to ensure that they provide these opportunities.
Q3 How have you learned about data centers in the past, and how will you stay abreast of important findings based on scientific research regarding data center impacts on energy affordability and the environment?
I have mostly learned through activists and reading reasonably-sourced news articles. I plan to continue doing that and I am open to learning from people who are able to stay up to speed on these issues.
Q4 How will you work and communicate with voters to ensure your policy decisions around data centers reflect the values of your constituency?
I have had 9 town halls since being elected, not including a town hall focused specifically on data centers, and I am hosting another one in a couple of weeks. Being present in the community and open to discussion is the best way to work with and communicate with voters.
Q5 Extreme heat is a serious public health issue and vulnerable populations are most at risk (Bell et al., 2024; Ebi et al., 2021; Hess et al., 2023). Additionally, the number of annual extreme heat days have increased statewide and are projected to increase in the future (McCullough, 2026). At the same time, Georgia is projected to experience more frequent and intense droughts (National Integrated Drought Information System, 2026). What policies do you plan to implement to mitigate the rising health risk of extreme heat and drought on Georgians?
Setting hard limits on data center water consumption, and predicating any tax credits on going above and beyond those requirements is a way to stop the bleeding. I support laws that promote green energy and local generation as much as possible to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, but that is a longer term solution. In the short term, we need to ensure that people are protected from extreme heat exposure. That could include delaying certain sports seasons for youth, and ensuring that cooling centers are available during the hottest months.
Q6 PFAS, or forever chemicals, are common, long-lasting chemicals used in dyes, pesticides, and common household products, like water-resistant clothes, cleaners, and cookware (EPA, 2026a). Forever chemicals have contributed to high risk of thyroid disruption, developmental delays, and cancer (EPA, 2026a). The EPA recently rolled back regulation on some forever chemicals and extended the deadline for utility companies to limit exposure to contaminated water (EPA, 2026b). What policies or investments would you support to improve drinking water safety in Georgia?
I actually sponsored legislation last year (HB 1501)1 to require the state to maintain a public website showing monitored levels of forever chemicals, and to require water utilities to notify customers if certain thresholds are met.
Q7 Environmental harms are not distributed evenly: landfills, industrial plants, and waste treatment facilities are disproportionately placed in communities of color and low income neighborhoods (Deganian & Thompson, 2012; Jbaily et al., 2022; Liddie et al., 2023). For example, the Pittard Road and Pinewoods communities in Athens have struggled to gain access to safe drinking water for decades (Dua-Swartz, 2025). Such environmental burdens cause generational health and economic impacts (Colmer & Voorheis, 2025; Grineski et al., 2025). How will you address environmental injustice in your district?
I’ll be honest. I know that environmental injustice is an issue, but I do not have specific ideas for how to address this at this time. I am open to suggestions.
Q8 Nitrate run off and pesticide use have been correlated with risk of long-term illnesses, like cancer, and ecosystem degradation, for example water deoxygenation and “dead zones” (EPA, 2013, 2015; European Commission, 2026; Zhao et al., 2026). How will your policies balance farmers’ technological needs while reducing the impact of previously restricted pesticides and overfertilization on agricultural workers, their neighbors, and our water systems?
I believe we should work with experts in the field and academia to determine the correct balance for the use of these chemicals when it comes to growing food vs. “downstream” impacts. As I understand it, the industry is probably too reliant on chemicals today and newer technologies may help reduce that dependence. When we find the right balance, we should be able to set reasonable regulations on usage.
Q9 The construction of data centers has triggered the call for an expansion in energy production (Science for Georgia, 2025). Georgia, and its largest energy provider, Georgia Power, derives 87% of its energy output from natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources, while 6% comes from renewables (Georgia Power, 2025). GA Power is proposing an expansion of a “natural gas” pipeline through Georgia and Alabama to meet their projected energy demands; however, there are several viable options for expanding solar energy, including plug-in solar panels, agrivoltaics, and parking lot solar systems, that would give consumers power over their electricity bills (Science for Georgia, 2026). What policies do you support to expand consumer energy choice and renewable energy?
All of them. I co-sponsored the “Plug-in Solar” bill last year, and I know how hard the industry fought against it. It was shameful. Georgia is a very sunny state and is ripe for solar energy production. We even have manufacturers right here in Georgia building solar panels from raw materials through to finished product. We should be promoting green energy solutions every way we can.
Q10 The globalization of groceries has given us access to a diverse selection of produce products. At the same time, international supply chains can heighten the risk of foodborne illnesses. Recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, like Cyclospora and Salmonella, have resulted in recalls of common foods, including lettuce, blueberries, and eggs (Vollers, 2026). What actions should we take on the state level to track and reduce foodborne illnesses?
We used to be able to rely on the Federal level for much of this, but that has obviously changed. I am also aware that the VDL lab at UGA is aging and is losing capacity to do much of this diagnostic work. If the feds are abandoning much of their prior responsibility, the state has no choice but to invest in the necessary resources to keep GA residents safe through increased local regulation.
Q11 What assistance, if any, does GA need from the federal government to track and reduce foodborne illnesses?
Since much of our food system comes from places outside of the state, it is critical to be able to have resources that can track food coming from other states or countries.
Q12 About 17% of Georgia adults lack health insurance (The Commonwealth Fund, 2025). Since tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans expired in December 2025, more than half a million Georgians have lost health insurance (Hart, 2026). What are your views on medicaid expansion, and what policies will you support to assist Georgians struggling to access quality healthcare?
Healthcare in Georgia is a full-on crisis, in nearly every conceivable way. Medicaid expansion would help, but with the hardest cuts to Medicaid from HR1 coming next year, it is probably too late. I am open to any ideas from any source, from a mystery “free market” solution, to a state-run exchange with a state-run public option, to a full Medicare For All solution at the state level, and anything in between. We have let this get to crisis levels, and it is only getting worse by the day.