Data center moratorium ordinance passes unanimously in Lyon County
Lyon County, Kentucky, unanimously passed a two-year moratorium on data center developments. This pause will allow the county to study the environmental impacts, utility usage, and land use suitability of the Lake Barkley area for such facilities. A committee will be formed to conduct these reviews.
Lyon County, Kentucky, has unanimously enacted a two-year moratorium on data center construction and operation within the county. Judge Executive Jaime-Green Smith and the county magistrates determined that the Lake Barkley area may not be suitable for such developments without further study.
The temporary suspension will allow the county to thoroughly assess the potential environmental impacts, utility usage, land use, and noise concerns associated with data centers. A committee will be established to undertake these reviews and provide insights. Magistrate Quinn Sutton has expressed interest in joining this committee.
County Attorney Lee Wilson highlighted Allen County's similar two-year prohibition as a model. While a representative from the Lake Barkley Partnership for Economic Development mentioned brief contact regarding one industrial site, no other data center inquiries have been made thus far.