Maury County Commission passes data center moratorium
The Maury County Commission has enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center approvals on county-zoned properties. The temporary ban allows time for the county to draft and pass specific zoning ordinances for data centers. Public commenters urged a longer moratorium and cautioned commissioners about data center impacts on power, water, and local communities.
The Maury County Commission has adopted a 12-month moratorium on approving data centers on county-zoned properties in Tennessee. The decision aims to provide the county with sufficient time to develop and enact specific zoning ordinances tailored to different types of data centers.
During discussions, public commenters, including Cecilia Shevlin and Rene Story, advocated for a two-year moratorium, expressing concerns that a 12-month period might not be adequate for thorough analysis. However, County Building & Zoning Attorney Kristi Ransom advised against a longer duration, citing legal precedents that suggest a 12-month moratorium is the longest period likely to withstand legal challenges. She also warned that significant amendments to the resolution would require it to return to the Regional Planning Commission, potentially delaying the moratorium's implementation.
Cybersecurity entrepreneur Chris Gramling and former data company owner Rene Story cautioned the commission about the potential negative impacts of data centers, including misleading information from investors about power needs, minimal long-term employment beyond construction, and significant environmental concerns such as high electricity and water consumption. They cited data tracking by Erin Brockovich's blog, which indicates data centers used 4.4% of American grid electricity in 2023, with projections for a substantial increase, and consume up to half a million gallons of water daily for cooling. Public speakers also highlighted issues like low-frequency noise and light pollution.
Though some commissioners, like Gabe Howard and Brandon Nutt, initially supported a two-year extension, the commission ultimately sided with Attorney Ransom's legal advice, confirming the ability to revisit and extend the moratorium as its expiration approaches.