Mayor issues order for 90-day study on data centers
Memphis Mayor Paul Young issued an executive order directing a 90-day study on regulations and protections for large and hyperscale data centers. The study will examine impacts on neighborhoods, infrastructure, air quality, water resources and utility customers while the City Council continues discussions about a possible moratorium.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young ordered a 90-day study to develop clear recommendations for regulating large and hyperscale data centers in the city. Experts appointed by the mayor and chaired by the city’s chief operating officer will assess potential policy guardrails and protections for neighborhoods, infrastructure, air quality, water resources and utility customers.
The order follows a heated Memphis City Council meeting at which members were expected to consider a data center moratorium. The study will not halt the council’s moratorium discussions and will include at least three community education sessions, a written public comment period and a public presentation of the expert group’s findings and recommendations.