Memphis City Council Debates Proposed Moratorium on New Data Centers
The Memphis City Council debated a proposed 18-month moratorium on new data center development while the city assesses potential effects on its water supply, power grid and environment. Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton was removed from the chambers after raising concerns about data center contracts, nondisclosure agreements and transparency; police responded to a separate lobby altercation, but no arrests were reported.
The Memphis City Council held a tense debate over a proposed temporary moratorium on new data centers. The pause would give the city time to evaluate the developments' potential effects on Memphis' water supply, electricity infrastructure and environment. The transcript indicates that the proposed moratorium could last 18 months, but does not establish that it was enacted.
Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton questioned contracts associated with data center activity, saying some council members were not included in negotiations and that nondisclosure agreements had been signed. She also referenced xAI and SpaceX, alleging that more money was leaving Memphis than entering the city during xAI's presence. Cooper-Sutton was physically removed from the council chambers, while a separate physical confrontation occurred in the City Hall lobby; police responded and made no arrests.