Residents challenge Flatwoods data center site approval in Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
The Lawrenceburg Planning Commission approved the Flatwoods Data Center, but residents have environmental and transparency concerns, particularly regarding its 4.9-megawatt size. Opponents have started a petition for a moratorium, which the Lawrence County Commission is considering, and are exploring legal action. Residents believe the project avoids crucial impact studies due to its power capacity.
The Lawrenceburg Planning Commission has approved the proposed Flatwoods Data Center site, despite ongoing concerns from local residents regarding transparency and the project's long-term environmental and community impacts.
Opponents, including members of "Citizens Against Lawrence County Data Centers," are particularly concerned about the project's planned 4.9-megawatt power usage, which they believe was intentionally set to avoid a mandatory system impact study required for projects exceeding 5 megawatts. Residents assert that the Planning Commission made its decision without proper research or studies on the industry's potential effects.
In response, the group has launched a petition advocating for a moratorium on data center development to allow for more comprehensive studies. The Lawrence County Commission is currently considering a 12-month moratorium; however, Ryan Egley, president of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, noted that such a moratorium would be difficult to enforce due to the county's lack of a planning department and established approval processes.
While Egley highlights the potential for long-term economic benefits from the data center, residents remain opposed and are actively fundraising to retain legal counsel and explore potential legal actions to challenge the project.