The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a record $3.3 billion loan to Oglethorpe Power Corporation for a power plant in Monroe County, Georgia. Glen Smith, the USDA's Under Secretary for Rural Development, said the facility will serve 38 rural utility cooperatives and could support growing industries, potentially including data centers. Google bought nearly 1,000 acres in Monroe County last year for a data center, though Oglethorpe said the facility is not dedicated to serving one. Smith plans to seek additional funding after the USDA received almost $8.6 billion in loan requests during the first month of the fiscal year. The development comes as data centers drive U.S. electricity use to record highs and face opposition over water consumption and utility costs.