Daily Digest — June 13, 2026
Nashville Residents Pack Planning Commission Meeting to Oppose Data Center Projects
Over 150 Nashville residents turned out to a Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting to voice near-unanimous opposition to proposed data center developments, according to the Nashville Banner. Speakers targeted two projects in particular — a DC Blox facility near the Nashville Zoo and a proposed data center on Fisk University's campus — citing concerns over noise, heat, water consumption, air pollution, electricity demands, and public health impacts. State Representative Justin Jones and Metro Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda joined the opposition, highlighting disproportionate impacts on South Nashville and the historically Black community of North Nashville.
A bill to establish broad zoning restrictions for data centers within Nashville was deferred to a June 25 planning commission meeting, with the next opportunity for public input scheduled at the Metro Council meeting on July 7. Planning commission members raised questions about enforcement, renewable energy incentives, and potential pre-emption by the state legislature, which has previously voted down data center regulation bills.
Separately, as reported by Nashville News, attorneys for the Nashville Zoo have filed an appeal to overturn the permit granted to DC Blox. A petition opposing the zoo-adjacent project has garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures. Good Morning America reported that nearly 400,000 people signed the petition, that the Nashville Metropolitan Council has advanced a 90-day moratorium on data center permits, and that country music star Brad Paisley publicly condemned the project. DC Blox has stated its commitment to minimizing local impacts, including local water sourcing, water recycling, self-funded power, and noise reduction.
Doug Sloan, an attorney for DC Blox, told the planning commission that not all data centers are alike, asserting their facility would operate with low noise and advanced cooling, according to the Nashville Banner. He also claimed the company had received online death threats and accused the Nashville Zoo of disseminating misinformation. Per KSBY News, DC Blox stated it has already secured the necessary land, filed permits, and received approval for its facility.
‘Unprecedented’ Crowd Opposes Data Centers at Metro Planning Commission Meeting
Nashville Banner
Thousands sign petition to block data center near Nashville Zoo
Nashville News
Residents fight to keep AI data center campus away from Nashville Zoo
Good Morning America
Hundreds gather in protest over data center near Nashville Zoo
KSBY News
Middle Tennessee Communities Approve Moratoriums Amid Data Center Pushback
Communities across Middle Tennessee are implementing temporary moratoriums on data center construction as opposition grows, according to News Channel 5 Nashville. Coffee County, McMinnville, and Cedar Hill have each approved temporary pauses to give local leaders time to consider new regulations.
The report provides context on the scale of existing data centers in the region:
- Clarksville: ~1.44 million sq. ft. (largest identified facility)
- Gallatin: Planned 500,000 sq. ft. CSquare campus; existing 276,000 sq. ft. Meta facility
- McMinnville: Existing 285,000 sq. ft. facility
Notably, several of the currently contentious proposed projects are smaller than these operational sites — Fisk University's proposal is 70,000 sq. ft. and DC Blox's zoo-adjacent facility is 69,220 sq. ft.
Governor Hochul Reviews New York Data Center Moratorium Bill
Governor Kathy Hochul has not yet decided whether to sign or veto a one-year statewide moratorium on new data center construction passed by the New York State Legislature, according to Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Speaking at an event in Buffalo, Hochul expressed concern about data centers' potential impact on the electrical grid and utility bills but noted the bill is one of over 850 legislative measures awaiting her review before the December deadline.
Assemblymember Jon Rivera, a proponent of the moratorium, argued the pause is necessary for regulatory bodies to catch up with the industry's rapid growth. At least three large-scale projects are in various stages of development in Western New York:
- Tonawanda: Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus developers temporarily withdrew a 300-megawatt proposal after public protest
- Niagara Falls: Niagara Falls Redevelopment secured approval for a 100-acre data center in early June
- Genesee County: Residents near the STAMP site have raised concerns about infrasound noise
Assemblyman Scott Gray has publicly opposed the bill, arguing that decision-making authority should remain with local municipalities, as reported by North Country Now. Gray noted that the Public Service Commission is conducting a comprehensive study on data centers with a report due in February 2027, and that a statewide freeze makes little sense before those findings are available.
The Finger Lakes Times reported that the moratorium was reduced from an initial three-year proposal and that Hochul's approval is described as "iffy" given political pressure from data center advocates. The Real Deal reported that some industry figures suggest the moratorium could increase the value of existing data centers in nearby states like New Jersey, and that some New York towns are still actively trying to attract data centers for tax revenue despite the legislative pause.
Assemblyman Gray says data center decision making should be kept local after calls to veto moratorium
North Country Now
New York State Legislators Pass Data Center Moratorium, Governor's Signature Pending
Finger Lakes Times
New York State Enacts One-Year Data Center Moratorium
The Real Deal
Governor has yet to sign off on data center moratorium
WGRZ-TV
Charlotte Enacts 150-Day Data Center Moratorium, Delays East Charlotte Hearing
The Charlotte City Council unanimously passed a 150-day moratorium on new data center developments, according to the Charlotte Observer. The moratorium delays a public hearing for The American Tower Corporation's proposed 40,000-square-foot data center near the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve off Hood Road until at least November 5.
American Tower's project requires rezoning of a 58-acre parcel in a predominantly residential area. The company already owns the property and operates a communications tower there. The proposal has faced repeated deferrals due to community opposition.
As reported by The Real Deal, the moratorium exempts projects with valid building permits and completed development applications, but will affect new proposals including the first phase of the PowerHouse Charlotte project. Charlotte's action follows similar moves by Durham (60-day moratorium) and Apex (one-year pause) in North Carolina, per the same report.
Montgomery County Executive Signs Six-Month Data Center Permit Moratorium
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed an executive order imposing an immediate six-month moratorium on new data center permit applications, according to Bethesda Magazine. The order directs the Department of Permitting Services to halt acceptance, processing, and consideration of all new data center permit applications.
The moratorium does not affect the Montgomery Planning Board's review of existing applications. Atmosphere Data Centers' amended conditional use application for a five-data center campus at a former coal plant site in Dickerson is still proceeding, with Planning Board reviews scheduled for:
- July 23: Battery storage facility application
- July 30: Updated conditional use application for the Dickerson project
The County Council has multiple pieces of related legislation in progress. Council President Natali Fani-González, Vice President Marilyn Balcombe, and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles introduced a zoning text amendment addressing data center siting, noise, carbon emissions, and water use. Councilmember Will Jawando and Councilmember Kristin Mink introduced legislation for a two-year pause to address state-level issues including energy costs and taxing authority. As reported by FOX 5 DC, officials stated the moratorium could end early if permanent zoning changes are adopted.
Elrich signs executive order pausing new data center permits for six months
Bethesda Magazine
Montgomery County rolls out six-month moratorium on data center permits
WTOP
Montgomery County pausing data center permits for 6 months
FOX 5 DC
Montgomery County Executive signs data center moratorium executive order
Montgomery County, MD (.gov)
Elrich signs executive order for 6-month pause on data center permits
Montgomery Community Media
DC Blox Data Center Near Indianapolis Advances Despite Community Opposition
A $2 billion data center campus proposed by DC Blox in Warren Township, Indianapolis, received a recommendation for approval from the Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner after a four-hour public hearing, according to WISH-TV. The three-building campus is planned for a brownfield site at the Thunderbird Commerce Center near South Kitley Avenue and the Pennsy Trail.
The project requires a use variance because data centers are not currently allowed in the site's zoning classification. Key project details include:
- Estimated power consumption: 78 megawatts
- Backup generation: 56 generators
- Developer commitments: Funding energy infrastructure improvements, using local labor unions, donating to Pennsy Trail maintenance
Dozens of community members opposed the project at the June 11 hearing, as reported by WFYI. Residents cited the Indianapolis City-County Council's recent unanimous approval of a resolution calling for a moratorium on data center development, and requested a delay until the city finalizes data center regulations. The proposal now advances to the full Metropolitan Development Commission for a final vote.
