Gallatin leaders weigh temporary ban on data centers
Gallatin, TN, leaders are considering a one-year moratorium on new data centers following concerns from Councilman Pascal Jouvence about future developments and resource strain. Mayor Paige Brown argues against it, stating there are no new data center interests and that existing water usage by Meta is less than residential sprinklers. The city leaders will vote on whether to send the proposal to the planning commission.
Gallatin, Tennessee, is contemplating a one-year moratorium on data centers, a move initiated by Councilman Pascal Jouvence. Jouvence expressed concerns about potential future data center developments, particularly on 100+ acres of recently annexed land near the existing 900-acre Meta data center, which went live less than two years ago. He cited a lack of control over development once zoning is approved and highlighted the city's rapid growth with new residential approvals.
However, Mayor Paige Brown dismissed these concerns as "performance politics," asserting that Gallatin is not currently being considered for any new data centers, nor is an expansion of the Meta facility imminent. Brown also addressed water usage concerns, noting that the Meta data center consumes less water than city residents using sprinklers, suggesting that public information on data center impacts might be inaccurate. Gallatin city leaders are scheduled to vote on Tuesday to determine whether to advance the proposed moratorium to the planning commission for further study.