Fight about data center pause builds at City Hall
Memphis City Council is considering a proposed data center moratorium, which would block new building permits. The proposal has generated political fallout, with some council members pushing back and proposing alternative regulatory frameworks. The council is preparing for the second of three votes on the ordinance.
The proposed data center moratorium in Memphis continues to generate political discussion at City Hall. Spearheaded by City Council member Jerri Green, the moratorium aims to halt the issuance of building permits and site plans for new data centers, following the rapid buildout by SpaceXAI within city limits.
As the Memphis City Council prepared for the second of three crucial votes on the ordinance, efforts to find a compromise emerged. Two council members put forth proposals for new regulatory frameworks to manage data centers, while others attempted to use procedural tactics to delay these alternative items.