Environmental groups warn data center could harm Nashville Zoo animals
Environmental groups are urging Metro Nashville leaders and DC BLOX to evaluate whether a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo could harm protected wildlife and violate the federal Endangered Species Act. Concerns include noise impacts on zoo animals and stormwater runoff affecting endangered crayfish in nearby waterways. The project has generated significant opposition, leading Metro Nashville to consider a temporary moratorium and new zoning regulations for data centers.
The Southern Environmental Law Center and the Center for Biological Diversity have formally urged Metro Nashville leaders and DC BLOX to assess whether a proposed 50-megawatt data center at Grassmere Park, adjacent to the Nashville Zoo, could violate the federal Endangered Species Act. In a June 25 letter, the environmental groups expressed concerns that the project could harm federally protected species both within the zoo and in nearby waterways, advocating for a thorough environmental review before construction begins.
The groups specifically highlight the endangered Nashville crayfish, whose habitat in Cathy Jo Branch, a tributary of Mill Creek, is less than a half-mile from the proposed site. They argue that additional construction could exacerbate existing issues with stormwater runoff and sedimentation, further degrading water quality. Additionally, the letter raises alarms about the potential for constant mechanical noise from the data center's cooling equipment to disrupt breeding and behavior of endangered animals at the Nashville Zoo, such as the highly sensitive clouded leopards, a species for which the zoo is an international conservation leader.
The proposed data center has become a contentious issue, drawing widespread public opposition, including a petition signed by over 500,000 people. Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Senator Marsha Blackburn have also voiced concerns. In response to the backlash, Metro Nashville is now considering a temporary moratorium on new data centers and the implementation of permanent zoning regulations to govern future facilities. DC BLOX has previously stated that its facility would utilize a closed-loop cooling system designed to minimize water use and adhere to environmental regulations.