Data center outrage: Hundreds pack in protest during hours-long meeting in Nashville
Hundreds of Nashville residents protested during a Metro Council meeting, leading to the approval of two bills related to data centers. One bill imposes stricter rules, and the other proposes a temporary moratorium on data center developments in the city and county. The council's action came amidst conflicting statements between data center developer DC Blox and the Mayor's office regarding
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Metro Council meeting extended into the early morning hours as hundreds of residents spoke in opposition to data center construction in Music City. The lengthy public comment period saw 245 people sign up to speak on Bill 1391, which amends Metro Codes to apply stricter rules for data centers.
Nashville Zoo President and CEO Rich Schwartz was among those who spoke, expressing concern for the zoo's 3,150 animals, particularly the clouded leopard, due to potential noise and low electromagnetic frequency vibrations from a proposed data center adjacent to its habitat. Bill 1391, which had 28 sponsors, was approved easily by the council, as was Bill 1448, which declares a temporary moratorium on all data center proposals within the city and county. Both bills will proceed to a third reading for final approval.
The meeting also highlighted conflicting reports regarding discussions between developer DC Blox and Nashville's leadership. Metro Nashville Councilwoman Delishia Porterfield noted that councilmembers received a press release from DC Blox claiming "collaborative discussions" with the Nashville Zoo, Mayor Freddie O'Connell, and city legal staff. The release stated that the proposed facility would not be an AI data center and would not use onsite power generation.
However, the Mayor's office refuted DC Blox's claims, calling the statement "inaccurate, wishful thinking that is divorced from reality." The Mayor's office suggested the timing of the release was an attempt to disrupt the Council's votes on data center legislation. Two proposed data centers, one near the Nashville Zoo and another on Fisk University's campus, have faced significant backlash.