Memphis City Council to vote on proposed data center moratorium
The Memphis City Council is scheduled to hold a final reading and vote on a proposed data center moratorium. If approved, the law would pause permits for new data centers and large computing facilities while the city studies their long-term effects and develops regulations. Whitehaven resident Loretta Thornton said noise from the SpaceXAI development has worsened her PTSD and made it difficult to remain in her home.
Memphis City Council members are preparing to vote on a proposed moratorium that would pause permit approvals for new data centers and other large computing facilities. The measure, introduced in August, would give the city time to study the developments' long-term effects and determine how they should be regulated. The vote is scheduled for the ordinance's third and final reading, and passage would make the moratorium law in Memphis.
The report also highlighted concerns from the Whitehaven community. Resident and military veteran Loretta Thornton said noise from the SpaceXAI development triggers her PTSD and makes her feel as though she is back on deployment. Thornton said she hopes the noise decreases because she does not know how much longer she can remain in her home.