Brent Taylor vs. Justin Pearson: Meet the 9th Congressional District candidates
Tennessee congressional candidates Brent Taylor and Justin Pearson have taken opposing positions on data center regulation. Taylor sponsored a law requiring data center owners to cover certain electrical infrastructure costs, while Pearson backed energy and water reporting requirements and has called for a temporary construction moratorium.
State Sen. Brent Taylor and State Rep. Justin Pearson, candidates for Tennessee’s newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, have differing approaches to data center policy. Taylor sponsored legislation that became law requiring data center owners to pay certain electrical infrastructure costs and allowing them to develop their own power infrastructure rather than purchasing power from utilities.
Pearson sponsored a proposal requiring some data centers and utilities to disclose energy and water usage and rates, but the measure failed in a House subcommittee. He has also called for a 12-month moratorium on data center construction to study potential environmental impacts. The candidates are competing for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.