Shelby County Commissioners advance data center ordinance, weigh against moratorium
Shelby County commissioners advanced a proposed ordinance to regulate data centers in unincorporated areas, including water and electricity conservation requirements. The action comes as officials and residents debate a longer moratorium amid concerns about SpaceXAI’s Colossus I facility in South Memphis, which uses substantial power and water.
Shelby County commissioners’ committee advanced Commissioner Amber Huett-Garcia’s proposed data center ordinance by an 11-0 vote, with one abstention and one absence. The measure would regulate facilities in unincorporated areas and align with Memphis’ newly approved ordinance, which includes closed-loop water systems, a transition away from carbon-based energy and a 135-day application moratorium. County officials are considering amendments to the unified development code while weighing the proposal against a separate 12-month moratorium introduced by Commissioner Henri Brooks.
The debate has intensified because of SpaceXAI’s Colossus I supercomputing facility in South Memphis. Officials and residents have raised concerns about the facility’s air-quality impacts, its use of roughly 1 million gallons of water per day from the Memphis Sand Aquifer and the strain that additional data centers could place on the local power grid. Shelby County’s moratorium proposal passed its first reading and is scheduled for further consideration, while Millington has already approved a moratorium. Supporters of stronger restrictions say more time is needed for review, while other commissioners cite potential tax revenue and economic benefits.