Thousands sign petition for 18-month moratorium on data centers in Lawrence County amid facility proposal

Thousands of residents in Lawrenceburg and Lawrence County, Tennessee, have signed a petition calling for an 18-month moratorium on data center developments. The petition, which garnered over 5,700 signatures, emphasizes the need for transparency, careful planning, and public review before any data center projects proceed, citing significant demands on local infrastructure, including electricity and water resources. The move follows similar actions or considerations in other Tennessee localities like Nashville and McMinnville.

The petition was initiated after a specific 60,000-square-foot data center was proposed for land off Flatwoods Road, which involved a request for rezoning by developers to the Lawrenceburg Planning Commission in November. Lawrence County Executive David Morgan stated the county government was not involved in negotiations for the proposed data center but has since contacted the Association of Tennessee Valley Governments to assess potential impacts on local power bills. The Tennessee Valley Authority is now reportedly working to establish a new rate class specifically for data centers.

Proponents of the moratorium argue it would allow local officials, utility providers, environmental experts, and community members sufficient time to evaluate potential impacts, conduct impact studies, and ensure developers bear the full cost of infrastructure upgrades. They also advocate for reviewing regulations, holding public town halls, and assessing the effects on vulnerable populations, including the large Amish community in nearby Ethridge. The petition clarifies that its intent is not to oppose technology or economic development, but to ensure responsible and transparent growth that protects local resources and quality of life. The proposed data center and moratorium are slated for discussion at a city council meeting on July 9.