Lawrenceburg utility offers insight on proposed data center
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee residents are expressing strong opposition to a proposed 5-megawatt cloud storage data center, citing concerns about water usage, strain on the electrical grid, and a lack of transparency from city leaders. A rezoning ordinance for the project has already been passed, despite public outcry. Mayor Blake Lay has canceled meetings with concerned constituents, while Lawrenceburg Utility Systems maintains it has sufficient capacity for the development.
Residents of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, a city of 11,000, are voicing significant concerns over a proposed 5-megawatt cloud storage data center. Many expressed frustration regarding a perceived lack of transparency from city leaders, particularly after a rezoning ordinance was passed several months prior, changing land along Flat Woods Road from residential to light industrial to accommodate the data center. Residents noted that other recent developments, such as a grocery store and a Waffle House, had been heavily publicized, contrasting sharply with the secrecy surrounding the data center project.
Concerns among the community include the potential strain on the electrical grid, the data center's water usage (estimated at 10,000-15,000 gallons per day for its closed-loop system), and its potential impact on local well water and the aquifer, especially given the county's rural nature. Mayor Blake Lay's office stated that Lawrenceburg Utility Systems can treat up to 9 million gallons of water daily, indicating ample capacity. Cameron McCanless, Director of External Relations for Lawrenceburg Utility Systems, confirmed the utility has the available capacity and does not foresee rate increases for other power and water customers.
Despite constituents' vocal opposition and desire for more information, Mayor Lay reportedly canceled two scheduled interviews. His office did provide a written statement detailing the proposal and a required notice about the rezoning that appeared in the Lawrence County Advocate in December, along with a photo of a sign posted at the site. The Lawrenceburg City Council is scheduled to meet, followed by a community talkback event hosted by the mayor, titled "Let's Talk Lawrenceburg Live," potentially addressing these concerns publicly.