Memphis City Council Postpones Vote on Proposed Data Center Moratorium After Chaotic Meeting
The Memphis City Council postponed a vote on a proposed one-year moratorium on data center construction, prompting an angry reaction from residents and forcing a recess. The moratorium would allow the city to study data center impacts amid complaints about air and noise pollution near facilities in Boxton and Whitehaven.
The Memphis City Council voted 7-5 to table remaining agenda items, postponing consideration of a proposed one-year pause on data center construction. The delay triggered disorder at the meeting as residents opposed to nearby facilities expressed frustration, leading Chairwoman Jana Swearengen Washington to call a recess and request police assistance in clearing the hall.
The proposed moratorium would give Memphis time to study the effects of data centers, including complaints about air and noise pollution near Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI facilities in the Boxton and Whitehaven areas. No final vote on the construction pause was taken.