Anderson County eyes new rules for crypto and data centers
Anderson County, Tennessee, is considering three amendments to its 1977 Zoning Resolution to establish safeguards and performance standards for potential cryptocurrency mining and data processing centers. County Mayor Terry Frank stated there are no current applicants but emphasized the need for proactive regulations. The amendments also address battery energy storage facilities, and the mayor has requested a legal opinion on implementing a moratorium.
The Anderson County Board of Commissioners is set to review three amendments to the county's Zoning Resolution at its upcoming monthly meeting on June 15. The existing 1977 resolution does not address emerging industries such as cryptocurrency mining, battery energy storage, or data processing centers, leaving permit applications for such facilities to the Board of Zoning Appeals on a case-by-case basis.
County Mayor Terry Frank emphasized that these proposed amendments aim to establish clear community safeguards and performance standards for any future applicants. He clarified that no specific projects or applicants for these industries are currently planned for the unincorporated areas of Anderson County. The mayor highlighted that without these amendments, the county's ability to ensure community protection would be significantly limited.
Mayor Frank also noted that other jurisdictions have imposed moratoriums on data centers to allow for more time to study community safeguards. Consequently, he has requested a legal opinion from the law director concerning the moratorium process in Anderson County, should the county commission decide to pursue such a measure for further study. The proposed amendments, recommended by the Anderson County Planning Commission, will be subject to a public hearing before the commission meets to consider them.