Roane County Becomes Next Tennessee Municipality Poised For Data Center Moratorium
Roane County, Tennessee, has passed a resolution asking its Planning Commission to advise a two-year moratorium on data center, battery storage, and cryptocurrency mine developments. The resolution aims to prevent new approvals until new zoning and building regulations are adopted, citing concerns over water and electricity usage, noise, and emergency response challenges.
Roane County, Tennessee, is moving towards a two-year moratorium on data center, battery storage, and cryptocurrency mining developments. The County Commissioners recently passed a resolution directing the Roane County Planning Commission to recommend the moratorium and develop new zoning and building regulations for future facilities. This decision, which was met with community applause, extends an initially proposed six-month pause to two years.
The resolution outlines several justifications for the moratorium, including concerns over the substantial consumption of water and electricity, the disruptive high-frequency noise generated by cooling fans, and potential challenges for emergency response services. Commissioner Brad Goss emphasized the public health implications and fire safety concerns, describing such facilities as "a monster to deal with during emergency events."
Roane County joins several other East Tennessee municipalities in considering or enacting similar development pauses. The City of Knoxville and Knox County have both approved one-year moratoriums, while Jefferson County implemented a 10-month pause in May, and Loudon County passed a six-month halt in June. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has also proposed a one-year moratorium to protect rural areas, which is currently under consideration by its County Commission.