Crime, data centers, energy central in Tennessee U.S. House race
Data center policy is a key issue in the Tennessee 9th Congressional District race between state Sen. Brent Taylor and state Rep. Justin Pearson. Taylor supports requiring data center owners to pay for electricity upgrades, while Pearson has called for a temporary statewide moratorium to study environmental impacts.
Data centers have become a central issue in the Tennessee 9th Congressional District race between Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor of Memphis and Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson. Taylor highlighted legislation he sponsored requiring data center owners to cover the full cost of electricity system upgrades rather than shifting those costs to residents.
Pearson opposed the legislation and has called for a 12-month moratorium on data center development in Tennessee to study environmental effects. Taylor rejected a broad moratorium, arguing that decisions about data center locations should be left to cities and counties. The candidates also differ sharply on energy policy and other issues, including crime and the Memphis Safe Task Force.